All aboard the SS Thistlegorm: Divers explore the rusting trains, trucks and motorbikes on the WWII British munitions ship sunk by a German bomber off the coast of Egypt

By Emma Thomas

PUBLISHED: 05:27 EST, 14 January 2014 | UPDATED: 08:51 EST, 14 January 2014

A piece of history frozen in time beneath the waves has been documented in amazing photographs.

The SS Thistlegorm  shipwreck, a British munitions ship sunk by a German bomber in 1941 off the coast of Egypt, lays undisturbed.

Now turned into a world-class diving site, the wreckage provides a fascinating insight into the past.

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In the driving seat: A diver sits on a truck at the wreck of the SS Thistlegorm sunk off Egypt’s coast after being bombed by German planes during WW2

A truck at the SS Thistlegorm shipwreck, a British munitions ship sunk by a German bomber in 1941 off the coast of Egypt. The supply ship has been left for 60 years

Rusting: Norton 16H motorcycles at the wreck of the SS Thistlegorm as tropical fish swim through the twisted metal in the Red Sea off the coast of Egypt

Incredible: Divers examine an anti-aircraft gun on the stern of the SS Thistlegorm shipwreck. The wreckage provides a fascinating insight into the past

SS Thistlegorm: The vessel’s cargo included: Bedford trucks, Universal Carrier armoured vehicles, Norton 16H and BSA motorcycles, Bren guns, cases of ammunition, and 0.303 rifles as well as radio equipment, Wellington boots, aircraft parts, and two LMS Stanier Class 8F steam locomotives

 

Tropical fish drift past the twisted metal of the war ship’s hull which has lain in the same place for more than 60 years after it was bombed by German planes in the Second World War.

The merchant ship is in the Straits of Gubal in the Northern Red Sea and time has stood still for the supply ship which still has its cargo on board. 

Built in Sunderland, the SS Thistlegorm completed three voyages to the USA, Argentina and the West Indies before it’s ill-fated mission to Suez.

From Sharm El Sheikh, tour operators run ships for divers keen to get a look at this window to the past.

By plunging to depths of 30 metres, explorers can reach the shipwreck in the clear water.

From 15 metres, the bow of the 400-ft long ship is clearly visible and divers are guided through the hold and along every inch of the vessel. 

The supply ship was carrying trains, trucks and motorbikes, which now lie rusting on the bed of the Red Sea.

Huge: A diver looks at the anchor chain. The wreck has been turned into a popular world-class diving site off the coast of Egypt

Reclaimed by the sea: The hull of the cast munitions ship has been eroded by the sea but several items, like the ship’s ladder, remain intact

Cargo: A diver swims past a wagon which was aboard the supply ship. It was heading for Suez in 1941 when it was bombed – killing nine crew

Exploring: From 15 metres, the bow of the 400-ft long ship is clearly visible and divers are guided through the hold and along every inch of the vessel including its cargo

Colourful: Brightly-coloured tropical fish swim around the winch as a diver takes a closer look. Built in Sunderland, the SS Thistlegorm completed three voyages

Frozen in time: By plunging to depths of 30 metres, explorers can reach the shipwreck in the clear water. The tyres on these motorbikes are still intact

Nine of its 41 crew died in the attack but some of the survivors spoke of their escape from the burning ship in 1941.

It’s cargo survived, and now divers can see historic vehicles like Norton 16H motorbikes packed in the hold and an anti-aircraft gun mounted on the stern among the angelfish and tropical wildlife that have made the wreck their home. 

Bedford trucks, Universal Carrier armoured vehicles, Norton 16H and BSA motorcycles, Bren guns, cases of ammunition, and 0.303 rifles as well as radio equipment, Wellington boots, aircraft parts, and two LMS Stanier Class 8F steam locomotives were also on board.

An entire truck also sits within the ship with its tyres still intact. 

To dive the SS Thistlegorm, people must have diver certification beyond entry level.

 

Divers explore SS Thistlegorm shipwreck ruins

Habitat: A diver meets a halfmoon angelfish, also known as the yellowband angelfish, while exploring the wreck of the SS Thistlegorm

War machines: A tank, destined for Suez, lays rotting on the seabed after the ship was sunk before it could make its final destination

Winch: From Sharm El Sheikh, tour operators run ships for divers keen to get a look at this window to the past. The ship is in the Straits of Gubal in the Red Sea

The supply ship was carrying trains, trucks and motorbikes, which now lie rusting on the bed of the Red Sea. Nine of its 41 crew died in the attack by German bombers