S.S. DUNRAVEN. Wreck Directory & Diving Guide. Aquatours Scuba Diving Holidays.

S.S. Dunraven

Built at the Mitchell yard at Newcastle in 1873, the 270 ft steam and sail driven cargo vessel was used to carry spices, timber and cotton from Bombay to Newcastle.

Final Voyage

In March 1876 she was sailing north towards Suez when she struck the southern reaches of the extensive reef system of SHA’AB MAHMUD at a point now known as Beacon rock. There are conflicting reports as to what happened next. When the wreck was discovered her portholes were found to be open and this has lead to the theory that she broke in two and sank quickly.

The second report tells how she held fast on the reef for several days, then caught fire, burned for 13 hours and capsized, sliding down the reef to where she lies today. Whatever happened the wreck now lies on a flat seabed of 30 metres, her keel up most and lying along the base of the reef. Discovered in 1979, the Dunraven was to become a 'World about Us' TV special, and as she was salvaged, artifacts such as Hamilton bottles, mugs, plates and even jars of gooseberries and rhubarb were found.

Constructed: 1873 (Newcastle, England)
Wrecked: 1876
Length of ship: 82m (270ft)
Wreck location: Beacon Rock a.k.a. Sha'ab Mahmud, Sinai Peninsula, Egypt.
Depth range of wreck: 18m to 27m

View wreck location using Google Earth.
(Requires Google Earth: Get it here).

The Wreck Today

This wreck is often dismissed as having little to offer, however those who take time to inspect her carefully will be rewarded with a glimpse into an example of a shipwreck from a nostalgic period in maritime history, and to the discerning eye and underwater photographer, she will always be a firm favourite.

The upturned hull is covered in soft corals and still stands proud of the seabed, reaching up to within 18 metres of the surface, although certain sections are now collapsing in. It is possible to enter the wreck at the stern after viewing her distinctive and colourful prop and rudder, although sadly one of the blades has fallen off after being used as a mooring point. Huge groupers and several batfish often hang out here.

Once inside, the huge cathedral like hull allows exploration forward toward a crack in the hull, which allows extra light to penetrate the interior. Recently a large section of the hull has broken away, and indeed the whole hull is in danger of collapse, her decay accelerated by the extra oxygen trapped in the higher reaches of the upturned hull by divers using nitrox. A victim of her own popularity. Large sections of the hull are now sliding down onto the seabed and her ballast stones litter the floor.

It is possible to swim through the boiler and engine room area-restricted to single file, where her workings are easily identified-fly wheel, gearings, drive shaft and big ends and two huge boilers. Forward of this a large shoal of Glass fish hover above. Her masts and crows nest lie on the seabed off her starboard side, making an ideal foreground subject for wide angled shots of the wreck.

The bow section complete with anchor chains is adorned in soft corals both inside and out, and is very photogenic, Batfish and scorpion fish and crocodile fish reside here. The hull exterior is covered in hard corals, and the wreck lies at a slight angle away from the reef, not at right angles as portrayed in some guides.

Recommended Dive Plan

It is possible to dive the wreck in one go, and it is best to start the tour as described below, ending up on the sloping reef behind, allowing for a slow curved profile back to the surface. Moderate currents often prevail over the wreck so good boat cover and safety sausages are advisable.

First orientate yourself with the wreck-looking at the reef the stern will be to your right - dive down and locate the stern, after first checking out the coral encrusted crows nest (30m) just of midships. Take in the view of the stern watch out for a huge Napoleon wrasse - he’s watching you! At the very stern it is possible to slip into the interior - this is the deepest part of the wreck (27m) so following this route now will produce a curved profile and long dive time. There is only one way to go - forward. But stop and take in the magnificent view of her Cathedral like hull and the blue light filtering through. Hiding in the corner down to your right are shoals of goatfish, groupers and squirrel fish. The bricks below are her ballast stones. Look out for giant Morays as you swim forward. Two huge cylinders appear forming a passageway either side of her hull. Before swimming through check out her inverted double acting 2 cylinder compound steam engine (for all you anoraks) its all there! Passing her huge boilers through a shoal of glass fish brings you to the first break in the hull - overhead are tempting coral scenes - leave these until later, you will return!

Ascend over the bow - (18m) maintaining your depth, swim sternward follow the direction of the keel, allowing it to fall away below you. Ahead should be an arch — it’s the ships hull covered in corals - patrolled by lionfish (18m) it’s a great photo spot. From here you can either follow the keel back to the rudder or swim over to the reef to inspect the many coral heads in 10-6 mtrs of water

All things considered this is an easy dive to execute - indeed it is one of the most sheltered wrecks in the area and was always the start of our wreck safaris running out of Sharm. The currents are usually mild and with planning can be used to enhance the dive. With a sandy flat seabed a good nitrox mix (say EANX32) can safely be used-a shovel would be required to exceed the MOD. The usual care should be taken with boating traffic overhead - Best to terminated the dive in the bay near the beacon if gas supplies allow!