SS Thistlegorm – The best wreck dive site in the Egyptian Red Sea

SS Thistlegorm is considered one of the best wrecks in the world.  It was a British merchant navy ship that is now located at Sha’ab Ali Red Sea, Egypt. The ship is famous for its wartime cargo and was fitted with light weaponry. It consists of a 4.7inch light anti-aircraft gun and an anti-aircraft machine gun. Exploring and diving the SS Thistlegorm is like diving through a history museum. That is why 1000s of divers make the special trip every year to Egypt to dive this wreck.

Photo by Marcel Rudolph-Gajda

 

SS Thislegorm history & facts

SS (Steam Ship) Thistlegorm was launched in Sunderland in 1940 by Joseph Thompson & Son and completed in January 1941. The ship was 126.5m long with a three cylinder steam engine giving it a maximum speed of 10 knots. SS Thistlegorm did only three trips. The first one was to the United States to collect steel rails and aircraft parts. The second one was to Argentina for grain and the West Indies for rum! The last and final trip was from Glasgow to Alexandria on 2nd June 1941 where the ship was carrying war supplies for the British 8th Army stationed in Egypt and Libya in WWII. The SS Thistlegorm was packed with Bren Carrier tanks, BSA & Norton motorcycles, Crossley Type Q trucks, Bedford trucks, Albion refuelers, Albion BY3 lorries, Morris commercial trucks, Leyland Retrievers, 2 locomotives and much more including 100s of rifles and ammunition.

Photo by Marcel Rudolph-Gajda

 

How did the SS Thistlegorm sink?

In May 1941 the Thistlegorm, with a crew of 39 men under the command of Captain William Ellis left the port of Glasgow in Scotland in convoy and headed to Alexandria. The ship made a quick stop in Cape Town South Africa to refuel and replenish her water and food supplies and again at Aden in Southern Yemen. The SS Thistlegorm was escorted by the cruiser HMS Carlisle. When they were sailing back up through the Red Sea they received the order to drop anchor and wait their turn to pass the Suez canal which was temporary blocked by a ship that had struck a German mine.

Photo by Marcel Rudolph-Gajda

 

During the night between 5th and 6th October 1941, two German bombers stationed in Crete happened to sight the ship by pure chance while returning from an unsuccessful search for the Queen Mary, which was carrying 12,000 Australian troops along the same route. They attacked SS Thistlegorm at 0.35am on 6th October 1941 and she was hit with two powerful large bombs. The bombs went straight to a level of the hold close to the engine where all the ammunition was stored which caused a very large violent explosion. The two locomotives were catapulted into the air and sank 30metres from the hull where they lie to this day.  The cargo inside sank with the ship.

Photo by Marcel Rudolph-Gajda

 

Rediscovering the best wreck in the world

Captain Jacques Cousteau discovered the wreck in March 1955 on board his famous research ship Calypso. The two leading members of Cousteau’s crew Albert and Frederic dove down to the several times, together with camera man Philippe and documented their discovery. The first photos and pictures were published in a long article that appeared in National Geographic magazine in February 1956. The Thistlegorm was nearly forgotten about for more than 20 years, until it was re-discovered in 1974 by an Israeli skipper. It wasn’t until 1992 when a local captain from Hurghada took the first set of tourist to dive the wreck. In the same year Thistlegorm gained its popularity and soon became rated the best wreck in the world. 

Photo by Marcel Rudolph-Gajda

 

SS Thistlegorm as a dive site

Where is the Thistlegorm wreck?

The SS Thistlegorm is located 60km/38miles from port Hurghada and 50km/31miles from Sharm El Sheik. The wreck lays in the northern Egyptian Red Sea, at Shag Rock in the Gulf of Gubal.

 

SS Thistlegorm dive site map

 

How deep is Thistlegorm?

The wreck is within recreation limits with the maximum depth of 30m/100ft.  It is easily accessible for divers but due to the depth and currents it is recommended to be a minimum of an advanced open water diver with 50+ dives. The wreck can be fully penetrated inside and enjoyed by everyone. 

Photo by Marcel Rudolph-Gajda

 

What can you see on this wreck dive?

Diving the SS Thistlegorm is a mind-blowing experience. Apart from seeing all the cargo and history, the wreck is home to some magnificent marine life!  You can spot crocodile fish, scorpion fish, napoleon wrasse, two resident turtles, snappers, nudis and much more.  

Photo by Marcel Rudolph-Gajda

 

How to dive the SS Thistlegorm?

You can dive the SS Thistlegorm on a day trip from Sharm El Sheikh, which is a 3 hour journey. However, it is much better and recommended to visit as part of a liveaboard trip. From a safari boat you will complete a minimum of 3 dives on the wreck including a night dive which will definitely be one of the best night dives of your life!

 

About the author

Zoe Jones is a scuba instructor and technical diver passionate about anything and everything in the ocean. She has been diving in Egypt for 10 years and has logged over 500 dives at the SS Thistlegorm.