Date/Time
Date(s) - Aug 27, Thu
09:00

There are 4 places, 1 are still available.

Load from 07:00, brief 07:45 Ropes off 09:00

Merchant Royal – 56m
The Merchant Royal is an immense British cargo steamer of some 5,008 gross tons. Previously named Goodwood, she was built by J Readhead & Son of South Shields in 1928. Owned at time of loss by Drake Shipping Co Ltd of Brixham, she was powered by 3 boilers feeding a triple expansion engine delivering 423 HP to her single shaft, had a length of 416ft and a beam of 55 ft. Merchant Royal was on passage from St Johns Nebraska for Hull carrying a cargo of steel and wood when involved in a collision with USS William B. Travis, an American steamer of 7176 tons, 20 miles off Berry Head in the early hours of the 3rd July 1946 in thick fog. Taken in tow after engine and boiler rooms flooded, but sank south of Portland Bill. All officers, crew and passengers were accounted for. She had some salvage work conducted in 1960. Although her bows are blown off, her superstructure still stands a full 15m from the seabed. She makes a spectacular dive, with good visibility usually in this area. Care is needed when entering her holds as it is possible to go below seabed depth and reach 60m but if you do find yourself there look out for the copper ingots that were missed by the salvage men. Distance from Weymouth 18 miles.

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