For many years, British vessels passing the site where the Thistlegorm went down would dip their flags as a mark of respect to those who lost their lives. The ship itself, however, remained undisturbed until the early fifties when Jacques Cousteau discovered her. He raised several items from the wreck - including one of the motorcycles, the Captain's safe and the ship's bell. Indeed the February 1956 edition of "National Geographic" clearly shows the ship's bell still in place and his Divers in the ship's "Lantern Room" - all of which were also still in place at that time - but not, apparently, when the vessel was rediscovered by modern Scuba Divers.
Cousteau later published a book although, deliberately or otherwise, it contained wrong co-ordinates and, once again, the Thistlegorm passed into obscurity. All that changed in the early nineties when a group of divers happened upon her by chance. In so doing, they had re-discovered one of the greatest shipwrecks of all time.
What makes this ship so extra-special is a combination of several factors. To begin with, despite extensive damage aft of the Bridge, the main section is upright and on an even keel. Then, there is the story of her passing, with all it's ingredients of War, Heroism and Tragedy - something that can never be recreated for any vessel deliberately sunk.
Lest we forget, even the Titanic would have passed into obscurity were it not for the manner of her sinking! Then, prevailing conditions and accessibility all come into play - and the Red Sea is hardly bleak and wind-swept. An acceptable climate and relatively warm waters, therefore, come into the equation which also includes very good underwater visibility and a maximum depth of just 32 metres.
What more could be asked of any shipwreck you might ask - and the word "Cargo" springs to mind. In the case of the Thistlegorm, that cargo is a veritable underwater "World War II Museum.
There are wonderful diving holidays to experience especially Indonesia diving and South Africa diving. To find out more please visit http://www.divingworld.co.uk/.
Cousteau later published a book although, deliberately or otherwise, it contained wrong co-ordinates and, once again, the Thistlegorm passed into obscurity. All that changed in the early nineties when a group of divers happened upon her by chance. In so doing, they had re-discovered one of the greatest shipwrecks of all time.
What makes this ship so extra-special is a combination of several factors. To begin with, despite extensive damage aft of the Bridge, the main section is upright and on an even keel. Then, there is the story of her passing, with all it's ingredients of War, Heroism and Tragedy - something that can never be recreated for any vessel deliberately sunk.
Lest we forget, even the Titanic would have passed into obscurity were it not for the manner of her sinking! Then, prevailing conditions and accessibility all come into play - and the Red Sea is hardly bleak and wind-swept. An acceptable climate and relatively warm waters, therefore, come into the equation which also includes very good underwater visibility and a maximum depth of just 32 metres.
What more could be asked of any shipwreck you might ask - and the word "Cargo" springs to mind. In the case of the Thistlegorm, that cargo is a veritable underwater "World War II Museum.
There are wonderful diving holidays to experience especially Indonesia diving and South Africa diving. To find out more please visit http://www.divingworld.co.uk/.
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