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The Thistlegorm. |
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The Thistlegorm. |
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Between the large reef system of Sha'ab Ali on the one side and the Sinai coastline on the other lies a stretch of sea 8 km long with average depths of 30 meter. Here the Thistlegorm lay at anchor on the 6th of October 1941, and here her fate was sealed at 1.30 a.m. that tragic night. The Thistlegorm had just completed an arduous journey around Africa, laden with military equipment of all kinds for the British troop in North Africa. She entered the calm zone alongside Sha'ab Ali, cast anchor, and lay in waiting observing all the necessary stealth drills. But these precautions were to be in vain. The thistlegorm was discovered by a long-range German bomber based in Crete. Two of it's bombs landed precisely on target, penetrating the number four hold. The resultant explosions ripped away the stern section, and nine crew members perished.
For many years after the sinking of the Thistlegorm, British navy vessels would lower their flag as they passed his spot, but today, the Thistlegorm has returned from the dead to become the vital hub of wreck diving in the Red Sea, and one of the most sought after wreck-dives in the entire world. Among it’s war time cargo are many hundreds of motorcycles of which many BSA’s WM20. More about the Thistlegorm by Ned Middleton. Most of the pictures on this website came from Ned Middleton. Click on the pictures to enlarge.
The only known photograph of the Thistlegorm was taken at the time of her launch. (Photo
courtesy World Ship Society).
A pair of armoured cars built on Rolls Royce Chassis are found in No 2 Hold.
Some of the many trucks found inside No 3 hold.
One
of the Bedford trucks found deep inside No 1 Hold.
Sadly,
souvenir-hunting Divers have forced their way in through the roofs of
most of the Thistlegorm's vehicles in order to remove the steering
wheels.
The
first time I saw this cab of an AEC Matador lorry parked inside one of
the forward holds of the Thistlegorm I thought I was looking at a
small caravan.
On board the Thistlegorm are a large number of BSA WD M20 Motorcycles. These were loaded onto the backs of many of the Trucks found in the ship's holds.
Some
of the larger Trucks carried up to 6 BSA WD M20 Motorcycles.
These Lee Enfield ·303 Rifles which were standard British Infantry issue during WW2.
The
Imposing Bows of the Thistlegorm.
Above
the foc’sle of the Thistlegorm is the ship's large windlasses.
Port
ladder leading up to the foc’sle.
The
Water Carrier found on the port side of No I Hold.
Note how it has been crushed by the pressure of water and how
it is also balanced precariously over the edge of the hold.
The Water Carrier found on the starboard of No I Hold. Note how it has been crushed by the pressure of water.
Looking
back along the starboard side, next to one of the two Railway Tenders.
A mooring rope attached to the upper reaches of the bridge is
just visible in the background.
The first of two Stanier 8F 2-8-0- locomotives which were being carried as deck cargo. This one is found on the seabed at a depth of 32m off the ship's port side.
Looking towards the stern of the Thistlegorm - showing the raised gun platform.
Looking down on the Heavy calibre machine gun found above the stern of the Thistlegorm.
The
WW1 vintage 4·7” gun found above the stern of the Thistlegorm. |
