Charted as the SANTAGATA, an obstruction in the Marine zone.
Vessel structure:
Lies in position 51°10.47N, 001°31.30E at a depth of 6.4m in a general depth of 25m.
Sonar dimensions: 127 x 20 x 19.5m. Orientation: 160°. No scour when last examined in August 2009, although scour
depth of 25m was recorded on previous examination dated 1997, and the 'wreck [was] considered to be entirely buried'
as she could only be located by magnetometer survey. Wreckage covers and uncovers.
A 2009 examination revealed that she 'lies in three parts'. Bow section: 65 x 20 x 14.5 orientated 175/355 degrees,
Centre section: 30 x 18 x 14m orientated 145/325°, Stern section: 32 x 18 x 19.5m orientated 140/320°. (1, 23.3.10)
Her separate fragments had previously been charted by the UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO) in three separate
locations as records UKHO Number 13709, on which the current NMR record is based, and earlier UKHO records
13703 and 13705.
The status of UKHO records, 13703 and 13705 was amended to DEAD after no remains were found at their
locations, and all three fragments of the wreck have been recorded together, both here, and in UKHO record 13709.
Documentary evidence:
'Stranded and broke in two.'
The SANTAGANA is mentioned in Source 5 as one of three wrecks in an area of the Goodwins dubbed 'calamity
corner', and the Walmer lifeboatmen saved 115 lives from just three ships stranded there between 1953! One of the
crewmen himself losing his life en route to effect the rescue from this particular vessel.
Source 7 states that she broke up within a very short time of stranding.
Built: 1943
Where built: Low Walker
Builder: Armstrong Whitworth
LBD: 140.2 x 18.3m); 431 x 56ft ; 136 x 17.1m
Tonnage: 7011 grt ; 7049 grt
Propulsion: Screw-driven oil engine); Source 6 calls her a steamer.
Speed: 11 knots
Crew: 58
Ownership: 1943 - Built for British Government, Ministry of War Transport and named EMPIRE FARMER (8) (10)
1945/1946 - Registered in Le Havre to the French Government, managed by Cie Generale Transatlantique and renamed
ADMINISTRATEUR EN CHEF THOMAS.
1948 - Registered in Le Havre to Cie des Transportes Oceaniques
1950 - Sold to Achille Lauro and re-named SANAGATA. Registered in Naples.