What a beautiful vessel we have laid our eyes on. These two divers were in for a treat when they saw the LEF1. This 15-meter-long vessel ended up sinking to the bottom of the Cypriot waters, not too far from Larnaca, in the winter of 2019.
It is 15 meters below sea level and has since become the island’s very first artificial snorkeling reef. Divers have visited the site ever since its discovery, with many photographers also flocking to it for its strange, mysterious charm. Divers can even go inside the vessel, where many different marine lifeforms can be found such as lionfish, gobbids, parrotfish, and more.
Stanier 8F Locomotive
As previously established, the SS Thistlegorm is considered to be one of the most famous shipwrecks of the last few hundred years. When it sank, there were many, many different vehicles aboard, with many dispersing to various parts of the Red Sea's bed. The ship suffered a serious explosion, causing two locomotives to fly off the deck and onto the bed.
Here is one of the trains in question. These trains were "Stanier 8F" models, weighing about 127 tonnes and measuring about 19.2 meters long. The explosion sent the trains flying about 30 meters away and caused serious damage, only leaving their front parts recognizable.
The Fatima
Here is a photo of the windlass (an apparatus for moving heavy weight) from the ship Fatima. In 1854, this impressive vessel was sailing from Melbourne to Jakarta, but failed to reach its destination, being shipwrecked along the way.
While the crew were rescued and completed their journey, Fatima sunk to the bottom of the Great Detached Reef. Prior to this event, the ship had been built in England, eventually embarking on the long journey from London all the way to Port Adelaide, Australia. Clearly, this ship went through a lot and this is pretty much all that is left of it.
Nippo Maru
Here, we can see the wreckage of the Nippo Maru surrounded by coral and marine life. This cargo ship sunk the bottom of the Chuuk Truk Lagoon back in World War II. This vessel was originally used to ferry troops and carry supplies around the Pacific. Ultimately, the ship fell in 1944 at the hands of Operation Hailstone.
Fast forward 25 years later, and the legendary Jacques Cousteau discovered the wreckage in an expedition. These days, divers can easily access the wreckage, which lies 47m underwater. However, it is recommended for divers to have some kind of certification before their descent.
The Sweepstakes Wreck
One doesn’t have to be a diving expert to visit the Sweepstakes wreck in Big Tub Harbour. One only has to snorkel in Fathom Five National Marine Park to find it perfectly in place, its hull fully intact, just 20 feet deep. There are several wrecks in the area that tourists might want to explore, but “Sweeps” remains a favorite for being an easy dive.
This schooner was built in 1867 but was damaged off Cove Island while delivering loads of coal. It was tugged back to Big Tug Harbour so it could be repaired, however, the damages were so bad that the boat sank in 1885.