Thursday, April 10, 2008

Another Westoll Line ship off of Sussex?

Just discovered that there is a possible sister ship of the T.R.T sunk off the coast of Hastings.
I say possible because there appears to be some confusion with this wreck.

Some reports say that this is the SS Umber sunk on 30th April 1918 otherwise known as the gun wreck but other reports say it could be the Roecliff .
My thoughts are that it must be called the gun wreck for a reason but if you look at the date the Roecliff sank there would have been no reason I can think of for the ship to be armed.

ROECLIFF
James Westoll; 1894; Short Bros.; 3,263 tons; 315- 7x45-1 X16-2; 286n.h.p.; triple-expansion engines.The British cargo ship Roecliff sank after a collision off Hastingson June 4th, 1897. She was carrying a cargo of grain from Odessa to Hamburg.

Looks like a bit of investigation may be in order.

Has anyone who reads this blog dived this wreck

6 comments:

g wizz said...

Tad

Gerry Dowd here - I recovered the main bell off the Thompson. I also recovered a brass plate off the wreck marked as the Umba in Dive Sussex and it says..."S.S. Roecliffe 1894 Sunderland" so you were spot on.

regards

Chris-P said...

Gerry, welcome! Good to hear from you again, thanks for the info on the Roecliffe. Those of us that have visited your collection remain astounded!

Chris-P said...

Gerry, if you want to join this blog please add another comment with your email address , it won't be published but will come to me as moderator, I can then send you an e-invite.

Tad said...

Hi Gerry
I did speak to you a couple of years ago re Thompson Bell I dont kmow if you remember. Thanks for the info on the Roecliffe thats great news for us. As you may have read we have now located a relative of TRT crew member and will be inviting him down it would be great to have the opportunity to speak to you at sometime to go over some details.

g wizz said...

Tad/Chris

Thanks for the invite - Don't forget that unknown sailing ship off Dover I mentioned when we last met

Gerry

Chris-P said...

Gerry, not forgotten! If you have any dates in mind drop us an email. There are a number of dates in the 'Dive Diary' on the sister blog to this 'Meridian Divers' (see Links on the top right of this blog!)