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Divers locate wreck of British ship which sank 113 years ago off Taiwan

Published

11 years ago

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Divers have found the wreck of a British steam ship that sank in April 1901 off Tungyin Island, part of modern-day Taiwan, which they think may have been carrying loot from the British army’s Relief of Peking eight months beforehand.

The 7,382-ton SS Sobraon had only been launched in Greenock 14 months previously and was on its way back to London from Shanghai via Hong Kong when she struck rocks off the remote island just after 3am on April 24, 1901.

The 210 crew and passengers managed to take to the lifeboats and get ashore on a night that the Board of Trade inquiry in London said was “very dark and cloudy”, but the SS Sobraon eventually foundered and was declared “a total wreck”.

Today the island is a heavily fortified outpost of Taiwan that is 90 miles northwest of the Taiwanese port of Keelung but only 25 miles from the coast of China. The site of early-warning radar facilities and missile batteries, high security has for decades limited recreational diving off the island.

Given the islands’ position on an important trade route, the loss of the SS Sobraon shocked British maritime authorities so much that London paid for the construction of a lighthouse that still stands on the same site today.

Diving conditions at the site are also challenging, with local tides and weather patterns meaning that underwater searches can only be carried out between June and September, according to Jimmy Fan, a member of the Taiwanese team that located the wreck.

“The tides are very strong and we had to wait for the winds to come from the south, and even when we were in the water the visibility was only 2 feet,” said Mr Fan.

The ship had originally been found by Lin Cheng-yang, of the Taiwan Ocean Security Conserve Association, last year, but artefacts that could identify the vessel could not be recovered.

This year, divers brought up metal taps, part of a hatch cover, railings and the nozzle of a fire hose.

“The ship is at a depth of about 30 metres [98 feet] and is badly broken up,” Mr Fan said. “Many storms in the years since it sank have broken the wreck up, but we were able to see some of the hull plating, we found one of the two masts and one of the two propellers.”

The official inquiry into the loss of the ship, which was owned by the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Co., said the vessel was carrying 800 tons of cargo. Accounts from the time suggest that the majority of the cargo, apart from some silk, was lost.

“We’re interested in finding out what the ship was carrying as it may still be in the wreckage,” said Mr Fan. “This boat was one of the most modern in the world at the time, if had only been built one year earlier, and it had left Shanghai heading for London.”

Mr Fan believes that the ship may have been carrying the spoils of the British military intervention in Beijing to lift the siege of 11 foreign legations during the Boxer Rebellion.

The aftermath of the action has been described as a frenzy of looting, with each of the allied nations accusing the other of being the worst pilferer of priceless items of China’s cultural heritage. The British force reportedly held “loot auctions” at the legation, with the proceeds shared out among the troops.

 

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

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News

Palau Resurfaces! Visit Us at boot 2025 in Duesseldorf and Discover Why!

Published

23 hours ago

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January 10, 2025

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palau

Following a period away, Palau – a dream destination for countless divers – is excited to rejoin the boot water sports show in Duesseldorf, Germany.

This prestigious water sports show, taking place from January 18 to 26, 2025, provides Palau with a platform to showcase its unique offerings in diving, snorkelling, and sustainable tourism.

Located in the western Pacific’s Micronesian region and part of the Caroline Islands, the Republic of Palau comprises over 340 picturesque islands. Although small in landmass, Palau is a natural wonder both above and below the water.

Palau is renowned as a global leader in environmental conservation. Years ago, the nation implemented forward-thinking measures to preserve its natural resources. In 2009, Palau became the world’s first national shark sanctuary, banning commercial shark fishing. To further protect its marine ecosystem, home to over 1,500 fish species and about 700 coral species, Palau established a fully protected marine sanctuary spanning 193,000 square miles in 2015.

Palau’s return to the boot shows marks a significant moment for the island nation, celebrated for its crystal-clear waters, pristine coral reefs, and extraordinary marine biodiversity. Visitors to the Palau booth will discover a vision of sustainable tourism, as environmental stewardship is deeply ingrained in the islanders’ way of life.

“We are thrilled to return to Germany and share the beauty and diversity of Palau with the world,” says Kadoi Ruluked, Managing Director of the Palau Visitors Authority, who will lead the delegation at the trade show. “boot provides an outstanding platform to position Palau as a premier destination for sustainable tourism and a true paradise for underwater adventures.”

Amid growing global efforts toward eco-friendly tourism, Palau continues to set benchmarks with initiatives such as the “Palau Pledge.” By signing this pledge, visitors commit to respecting and protecting the environment during their stay. These and other measures will be highlighted at the event to raise awareness of marine ecosystem conservation.

The boot water sports show offers a unique opportunity for visitors to immerse themselves in Palau’s culture and natural beauty while planning unforgettable diving and snorkelling trips. The Palau Visitors Authority warmly invites all attendees to explore their booth and experience the unspoiled charm of Palau.

Learn everything there is to know about this extraordinary destination at
Hall 12, booth nr. E42.

The exhibition runs from January 18 to 26, 2025, in Duesseldorf.

For more information or to schedule interviews and meetings, please contact: Judith Hoppe, WhatsApp: +49-151-5523 1966, e-mail palau@tourism-unlimited.com

For more information about Palau, please visit: www.pristineparadisepalau.com or follow us on social media at https://www.instagram.com/visitpalau/ or https://www.facebook.com/pristineparadisepalau/

Photo credit: © Judith Hoppe

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Gear Reviews

Gear Review: SurfEars 4

Published

2 days ago

on

January 9, 2025

By

SurfEars

Let me get this out there at the start… it is not possible for me to write an unbiased review on SurfEars! Why? – because they saved my diving career. That may sound over-dramatic, but it is true. I had been told by my ENT specialist that I should stop diving. Repeated perforations, including a stint of 4 infections causing ear drum ruptures in a single year, meant that things looked very bleak. Until a friend recommended that I get in touch with the team at SurfEars and to try them out.

That was over 5 years ago, and I have not looked back. Not a single ear infection in all the dives since. If you want to read my initial review of SurfEars then you can find it here: https://www.scubaverse.com/gear-review-surfears/

So, I was more than pleased to receive the latest SurfEars 4 to try out. I took them on a recent trip to The Bahamas where I was filming for a new project all about sharks. SurfEars come in a handy pod that I secure to my BCD so that I am sure not to forget to take them on the boat and to put them in before I head into the water. The new model comes in 2 new colours and have a range of fittings to ensure a perfect fit. Once in, you can still hear what is going on around you. Vital for any last-minute instructions for your dive.

SurfEars

Underwater they do their job in keeping water out. It is still just as easy to equalise the pressure, as air movement is not restricted at all. The new fittings mean that I can change to a slightly smaller fitting to wear under my hood for cold water diving. Once in, I just forget all about them, and enjoy my diving (snorkeling and swimming) with complete peace of mind.

The new version of SurfEars is now using recycled ocean plastic and repurposed silicone so are more eco-friendly. They are said to be even tougher and will last longer. Although my previous set were still going strong.

Whatever your chosen water sport – I cannot recommend SurfEars enough. Whilst they literally enabled me to continue diving, I would suggest using them to protect your ears before any unwanted trips to the doctor. I never go in the water without them. They are at the top of my packing list for any trip.

For more information head to: https://surfears.com/

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