A legend slumbering beneath the Red Sea
The SS Thistlegorm is much more than just a wreck. It is a veritable underwater museum, a frozen witness to the past, where every dive feels like a journey back in time.
Built in 1940 in Sunderland for the Albion Steamship Co., this Royal Merchant Navy cargo ship transported vehicles, weapons, locomotives, and supplies for British troops stationed in North Africa during World War II.
The night of the tragedy
In June 1941, the Thistlegorm left Glasgow bound for the Suez Canal, loaded to the hold with Bedford trucks, Norton 16H and BSA M20 motorcycles, ammunition, Lee-Enfield rifles, boots, steam locomotives, and aircraft parts.
To avoid German submarines, it rounded the Cape of Good Hope before arriving in Egypt, where it dropped anchor in the Strait of Gubal.
But on the night of October 6, 1941, two German Heinkel He 111 bombers spotted the ship and mistook it for a troop transport.
The bombs struck the rear hold, which was filled with ammunition, causing a massive explosion. The ship broke apart, caught fire, and sank in less than ten minutes.
Nine crew members perished. The survivors were rescued by the HMS Carlisle.
Since then, the Thistlegorm has lain at a depth of 30 meters, a majestic and silent silhouette, enveloped in sand and coral.
Rediscovered by Cousteau
In the early 1950s, Jacques Cousteau and his team aboard the Calypso rediscovered the wreck.
The report published in National Geographic made the Thistlegorm legendary.
Out of respect for the site, Cousteau kept its coordinates secret for several decades.
Dive into history
The dive starts from the anchorage of your cruise ship, directly above the wreck. As you descend along the bow, the immense silhouette of the Thistlegorm gradually reveals itself, lying upright on the sand, with the upper deck at a depth of about 20 meters.
The rear of the ship immediately catches the eye: the turret equipped with its anti-aircraft gun still points skyward, covered with hard corals and gorgonians. It is a must-see for the first dive.
The propellers and rudder are still visible, massive and impressive.
Inside the holds, the sight is striking: perfectly preserved Bedford and Morris trucks, jeeps, BSA and Norton motorcycles, as well as crates of rifles, ammunition, boots, gas masks, and mechanical parts.
On the seabed, two steam locomotives torn from the bridge by the explosion lie on either side of the hull, imposing and covered with multicolored sponges.
The play of light filtering through the openings in the bridge creates golden halos in which schools of glassfish, batfish, trevally, and barracuda swim.
Life has reclaimed its rights, giving this war-torn setting an almost unreal beauty.
Every dive on the Thistlegorm is a mixture of fascination and emotion—a journey into the heart of history and life.
De Thistlegorm volgens STM Diving
At STM Diving, we consider the Thistlegorm to be a rite of passage for any diver exploring Egypt.
Our “North & Wrecks” and “Safaga Brothers” itineraries regularly include this legendary wreck, allowing everyone to experience this dive in ideal conditions: safety, respect for the site, and guaranteed excitement.
The Thistlegorm is waiting for you.
Discover our upcoming cruises and experience the magic of this legendary dive in the Red Sea.