Introduction to the area: As The Red Sea narrows at its northern extreme, a long thin arm of water stretches north North West towards the Mediterranean.  Flanked to the east by the Sinai Peninsular and to the west by the Egyptian mainland, the entrance to the Gulf of Suez is marked by a treacherous finger of reef known as Sha’ab Ali. A busy, narrow and important seaway dating back beyond the opening of the Suez Canal, it is a vital link between east and west-a vital and important trade route. It is also a hive of industry, with oilfields dotted along its length, and refineries along its banks.

Very little diving takes place-the coral reefs die away as the water becomes shallower and indeed less clear due to the presence of sand and silt. Water temperature too plays a part in the ecology, with temperatures plummeting to 16 degrees in winter. While it is not a viable tourist area; it is a haven for new unexplored shipwrecks...

Further details on the Gulf of Suez and her Wrecks...

Heading north passed Sha’ab Ali the first headland, RAS DIB heralds an area rich in shipwrecks. First are the ATTIKI and the MUHANSIA- visible from the surface, well salvaged and well “dispersed”. Lying in only a dozen meters of water they are  home to many shoaling fish and very large examples of the endemic species of nudibranchs found elsewhere in the Red Sea-but in greater numbers and larger than text books would suggest.

Rounding the headland the ELLIOT, her superstructure above water is well embedded into the reef-her headlong grounding evident from the attitude of her rudder. Divers can ender the hull, swim through into the engine room- and take a walk around. Half a mile offshore where the water is deeper and clearer lie three modern merchant ships-as yet unidentified- in less than 50 mtrs of water. Discovered during the 2004  GEOSERVE/ SSS Expedition-their secrets yet to be unlocked, their stories yet untold.

At RAS SHUKIER the hustle and bustle of the Oil industry becomes very evident. Close to shore are two shallow wrecks, while again offshore there are several deeper wrecks.

 BIRCHWOOD 11 (PLASTICS WRECK) Lying to the north of the port in a large bay with three other wrecks was a small 50 mts motor cargo ship  on its starboard side in 12mtrs of water. Totally intact light streams into the holds and bathes the entire wreck. A shoal of juvenile barracuda circled her mast, which is complete with radar array and aerials.

Just forward of the Superstructure, itself at the aft of the vessel is an intact crane, obviously used to service the hold. The criss-cross frame work of the jib is covered in encrusting life.  Superb swim-throughs from the weather deck into the holds are easily accomplished her cargo bags of polythene granules float hard against the port hull

The foc’sle is easy to access and explore and her winch gear, like many parts of the wreck is covered in sponge and encrusting corals. .Her bow appears intact and a deep scour ran along her keel, becoming circular by her prop and rudder. Her starboard running light lies protruding from the sand.

Hundreds of nudibranchs smother the red sponge fingers, found throughout the wreck. Shoals of rabbit fish huddled together everywhere .Snowflake morays, again a rare occurrence on a coral reef are common place here. Almost every surface of the wreck is alive with anemones, sponges and small crustaceans. The brilliant reds, oranges and greens highlighted by torch beams.

LAURA SECURITY (THE EAGLE WRECK.) Close by, this 40 mts long vessel sits upright with its bridge out of the water .So named because of the eagle, which had made its roost on top of the wreck. Many of the hull plates had fallen to the seabed allowing sunlight to stream through its vertical supports highlighting shoals of fish. The strong sunlight afforded by the shallow depths provided endless photo opportunities. With the hull intact the bow and stern are very photogenic and the supporting fish life is quite amazing. Due to its location the wreck is blessed by the afternoon sun and the long beams of light shine through many holes in the wreck. Those who are not put off by the lack of depth are well rewarded

THE “PD” WRECK. (D.B. GEMINI) The target area of the SSS survey revealed some strange wreckage on the seabed, including a large circular depression. No wreck was ever found-, winches, ladders mooring cleats, ventilation cowls covering  a vast area-all attracting a reef’s population of fish- was all that could be seen.

WRECK OF THE SHILLONG
Built at Vickers Armstrong, Walker Mar 1949, for the P&O LINE, The SHILLONG was 8934 tons and 522 ft long. She was on a journey from London –HAMBURG to TSINGTAO with 87 crew and 6 passengers, when she was involved in a collision with the PURFINA CONGO .She was captained by E.J. Spurling, and carried a general cargo.
She lies in 23 Mtrs , just north of the JULY OILFIELD, in the separation channel 

RAS GHARIB
This headland again is a terminal for the Oil industry and marks the limit of diving exploration (to the best of my knowledge-no one else has ever been this far north)

There is evidence to suggest at least20 wrecks lying in these waters. Again there are several very interesting wrecks in shallow water with more lying in deeper water.

WRECK OF THE ABOUDY a small aluminium hulled, 400ton cargo ship 76 mtrs long, sank May 7TH 1988. She was carrying a cargo of cattle, aluminium extrusion and thousands of 300ml bottles of cough medicine! Laying on her side totally intact, her masts running horizontal towards the shore, her stays still in place, she is slowly succumbing to the invasion of marine life. The entire wreck can be explored, sheltered from any swell from the exposed open sea. Remain ants of the cargo lie in the holds spilling out onto the seabed and the diver can swim from the fo’c’sle through her holds to the bridge section at the stern, where the engine room can also be found.

Marine life includes shoaling barracuda and fusiliers, emperor angle fish, crocodile fish, torpedo rays and encrusting corals and sponges. Visibility is subject to swell as the seabed is sand.

WRECK OF THE BAHR,
The motor survey vessel belonged to the United Arab Republic General Petroleum Co, when she was sunk at Ras Gharib by Israeli missiles on October 14th 1973 during the Yom Kippur War. Russian built, she was 416 tons, 147 ft long. She lies in only 14 mts of water.

One of Peter's latest discoveries...

S.S. TURKIA

SHIPS HISTORY:
Originally built for the Wilson line as the LIVORNO 1910,  by EARLE &CO, LTD HULL, on the river Humber with engines by Amos Smith (3cy 23 38 61-48, triple expansion, steam) delivering 217nhp.1672 tons, 300 ft x 42 ft x 17 ft.  4 main holds with a fifth small hold leading to the fantail twin  ‘tween decks fitted to holds one  and two
(Arthur C Creland “earles of Hull 1853-1932”).  
In 1935 she was sold to the Hellenic Line of Piraeus and renamed Turkia . 

FINAL VOYAGE:
New York to Piraeus, with a cargo of munitions, wire, tyres, metals and vehicles, described as government stores.

CIRCUMSTANCE OF LOSS:
Two conflicting reports “Bombed off Zafarana Light 2 miles SE May 14th 1941” - "Destroyed by fire and explosion near Zafarana Light Gulf of Suez, after being abandoned by her crew when on passage from New York to Piraeus with general cargo and explosives." 

“17/5/1941 she had a fire in no. 3 hold where explosives were stored (she was carrying explosives and general cargo) and the fire was beyond control so the vessel was abandoned. 10 minutes later there was a large explosion and the vessel sank in 12 fathoms. Nothing was being done (later that is) as no competent salvage service was available at Port Said.”-Anne Crowe Lloyds

This would explain why she is not in Lloyds War Losses as it sounds like an accident rather than enemy action. Indeed the hull would appear to be intact ( from initial dive) and she looks as if she has settled slowly and upright.

DISCOVERY:
Located by Peter Collings and identified on November 30th 2006, from her location, cargo, dimensions and artefacts including bottles inscribed

“FLORIDA WATER MURRAY & LANMAN, DRUGISTS, NEW YORK”
“SLOANS LINIMENT MADE IN THE USA”
“POISON VERGIF 8oz TALANA”

DIVING DETAILS at Nov 30 2006:
Sits upright in 24 mts on a sandy bottom in a sheltered bay south of Zafrana Lighthouse,  with her bows pointing towards the coast. The bow is akin to that of the Rosalie Moeller, straight raked and imposing. Access into her foc’s’le is through a hatch on the forepeak forward of the deck winch, and is roomy and brightly lit. The forepeak is covered with coils of wire-these may have been removed from the first hold to gain access to other cargo. There is a deck house to port and a covered stairwell down into what appears to be crews quarters  Hundreds of tyres also lie around in piles, The ‘tween decks contain more stacks of tyres and the lower hold( to be further explored) seem to contain cases metal ingots. On the port upper ‘tween  deck are 3 vehicles- coral encrusted and almost un recognizable. The entire fore section is  smothered in clouds of small shoaling reef fishes –even at this time of year.

The bridge, wheelhouse saloon and galley are all still erect, with all wood missing-floors are littered with bottles and crockery, in 12 mts .these are easy swim throughs and are flanked by long companionways. A large family of Map of Africa Angels have taken up residence. Scattered on the deck in front of the funnel casing are 20 + mortar shells and there access hatches into the deck area below.

Hold 3 is partially empty on the ‘tween decks except for tyres, deeper holds seem full of crates-possibly rifles and more ingots

Hold 4 is totally solidified up to the deck-it appears to be full of crates of mortar shells, the casing having dissolved leaving the detonator ends showing.

There is an unusual thin 5th hold which gives access into the cruiser stern-an area of great interest with hatches going down and additional rooms as yet unidentified. On the deck at the stern is the steering quadrant and a compass binnacle-almost un recognizable covered in mussels

The stern is swathed in a fishing net down over the rudder and partially obscured the prop.

All around the hull are large snapper, travally and jacks. The seabed, at 24 mts is littered with wreckage and a debris trail runs aft (to be explored) Both masts have been swept and lie on the sand-complete with intact riding lamps their lenses covered in a light concretion NOBODY HAS BEEN HERE!

From the seabed the bow is very imposing, straight raked –Rosalie Moeller style.

The wreck is in a remarkable condition, although the concretions hide some of her detail. The hull seems to be constructed of thinner steel than that of the R.M, as it places it is becoming porous. Perhaps, because there is no damage to the hull she appears bigger than the R.M, but the dimensions of both ships are very similar.

Marine life is exceptional-beautiful unusual soft purple fan corals, large numbers of nudibranchs, fairy bassets, groupers and angel fish inhabit every part of the upper decks and superstructures.

Given the sheltered location it appears this wreck is diveable all year round this was almost December - can’t wait to dive her in the summer.