Littlehampton's Popular Wreck Sites.

Shirala. A 5306 ton liner lies in 24 - 26 metres of water. She was launched in 1901 to carry passengers and cargo. She made her last voyage with a cargo of African elephant tusks, cases of wine, marmalade in stone jars, spares for lorries and model T cars, telescopes, binoculars, shells, detonating heads and bombs for aircraft. She was sunk 2nd July 1918 by a German submarine. Lying North - South with bows to the south. Her holds are open and the highest point being the stern about 8 metres off the sandy seabed. Good for souvenirs. Zaanstroom. A Dutch coaster of 900 ton lies in 32 metres of water. Sunk on 2nd December 1911. She was carrying a cargo of china clay. The bows are the most prominent part with anchors still in place. The boiler stands proud with valves and gauges of the engine room can be seen. HMS Northcoats. An armed trawler of 277 ton lies in 28 metres of water launched in 1919. In 1939 was requisitioned for mine sweeping duties in the second world war. She sunk on 2nd December 1944 whilst under tow. Bows to the SE sitting upright with a 12 pound gun on her foredeck. Gascony. A British Steamship of 3133 ton lies in 30 metres of water. Torpedoed on 6th January 1918. Carrying a cargo of hay, charcoal and guns. She was for many years upside down, but the hull has now cracked apart and the bow section has turned almost upright. It is possible to swim inside part of the wreck where the wheels of army gun carriages can be seen. Jaffa A British Steamship of 1383 ton lies in 28 metres of water. Torpedoed on 2nd February 1918. She was armed with a 4.7 inch gun lying on her port side, her boilers stand proud by 6 metres. Shell cases have been found. Basil A Steamer of 3220 ton lies in 42 metres of water. Sunk after collision with a French Steamer on 11th November 1917. She was armed with a 4.7 inch gun on the stern which is the highest point 30 metres. Cargo of ammunition comprising of 18 pound shells and howitzer cases. Atlas A British Steamship of 989 ton lies in 41 metres of water. Torpedoed on 13th November 1917. She was carrying a cargo of coal. She stands upright at 7.5 metres high there is a large hole in the starboard side amidships where the torpedo struck. The decks and some superstructure are still intact. HMS Moldavia A liner of 9505 ton lies in 48 metres of water. Torpedoed on 23rd May 1918. The giant wreck of the Moldavia Liner became an armed merchant cruiser in the 1914 - 1918 war. Her length is 521 feet being the first of the famous P & O 'M' series of passenger liners. She was a huge ship with over 1000 portholes, some but not all have been recovered. She lies on her port side with depth to the highest point at 30 metres. Fitted with eight 6 inch guns, two of which can be seen at the stern where much of the decking is still in place. It is possible to swim through some of the cabins where light fixtures and brass bathroom taps have been recovered. The Moldavia is 25 miles out from Littlehampton and only available when weather and tide conditions are perfect for experienced divers only. Besides the above wrecks I have many others for trimix dives.