Charted as CARMEN, 'entire wreck' in the Marine zone. A dangerous wreck.
Vessel remains:
Lies in position 51°08.33N, 001°36.32E at a depth of 25.5m in a general depth of 44m.
Sonar dimensions: 125 x 22 x 18.7m. Orientation: 6°
Possible debris lies up to 40m to the south-west. Vessel itself is 'intact, upright, bows south.'
Source 2 states that although she 'has been swept with explosives... these have only taken the top off of the bridge
opening it up for exploration. She is very intact and perfectly upright in 45m, with the funnel around 30m, the top of the
superstructure at around 32m and bridge at area around 35m... The cargo of Bauxite has settled down and you are at
43m on the top of this... the large gash from the collision is very clean... at the bow end... is a winch room with 2 doors
allowing access... and there is another door up to the deck at the very bow.' The source shows a sketch of the vessel
as she lies on the seabed, and photographs of her ship's bell, on which the words 'IRON CHIEF 1930 SYDNEY' are
engraved; as well as the ship's telegraph and a porthole, all of which have been recovered from the vessel.
Documentary evidence:
'Sank following collision with the Turkish SS SADIKZADE, in thick fog. Her master and crew took to their boats, two
men being lost. The SADIKZADE then collided with Greek motor vessel LEANDROS which in turn collided with the
British motor tanker CLYDE SERGEANT.'
Built: 1920); 1930
Where built: Sunderland ; Pallion
Builder: William Doxford and Sons Limited
LBD: 112.86 x 16.12 x 7.04 m); 370 x 53 x 23ft (4); 112.9 x 16.1
Tonnage: 4240 grt ; 4560
Propulsion: 3-cylinder triple expansion engine
Boilers: 3
Speed: 10 knots
Ownership / registration:
1930 Ship named IRON CHIEF, and registered to the Interstate SSS , based on the place SYDNEY engraved on
her bell, she appears to have begun life as an Australian ship; Her name and the name of her first owner would
suggest American beginnings;
1935 Sold to R Ropner and Company and re-named STAGPOOL ;
1950 Sold to Tsavliris and re-named GRANNY SUZANNE ;
1954 Sold to S Tuiller and re-named CARMEN .
Source 7 shows what appears to be an advertisement for William Doxford and Sons Limited, from 'The Shipping
World' dated January 9th 1924.