{"id":124,"date":"2024-05-31T11:37:48","date_gmt":"2024-05-31T11:37:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ghosts-of-war.com\/?p=124"},"modified":"2024-06-02T14:00:49","modified_gmt":"2024-06-02T14:00:49","slug":"diving-the-s-s-thistlegorm-egypt","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ghosts-of-war.com\/?p=124","title":{"rendered":"Diving the S.S. Thistlegorm, Egypt"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Jacques Cousteau was the first to dive on the S.S. Thistlegorm in the 1950s. Sadly, as was the practice at the time, he took various items from the wreck, including the ship\u2019s bell. Cousteau kept the location of the Thistlegorm quiet, and it was not until the early 1990s that divers once again located the site, using information from fisherman. The UK\u2019s Dive <\/em>magazine estimates that since then, over one million divers have visited the wreck.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The dive boat lurched in the chop as we waited for the crew to fasten the descent line. It was blowing 15-20 knots and white caps streaked the water. Geared-up and ready, we sat on the timber benches, and I have to admit I was feeling nervous. It didn\u2019t seem all that long ago that I had done my first scuba dive, and now I was waiting to descend to the bottom of the Gulf of Suez to explore the S.S. Thistlegorm. Due to the challenging nature of the site, most tour operators stipulate divers must have completed at least 20 logged dives, and hold certain qualifications, before they can visit the wreck. I had the bare minimum in the bank. However, I knew my instructor Ayman would not allow me to dive if he didn\u2019t think I could handle it. The other members of our 4-person team, Lars and Nadine, were experienced divers who had visited the Thistlegorm before, so I knew I was in good hands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Wind and waves above the S.S. Thistlegorm
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A shout from one of the crew and it was time to go. We staggered across the deck to the stern in our gear, grabbing hand holds and steadying ourselves as we went. I watched the others jump one by one, then it was my turn. Stepping off the stern I was suddenly in a rush of wind, waves and foam. Ayman grabbed me and dragged me to the ropeline, and hanging on tight, we began our descent. Hand over hand we moved deeper, the waves and current buffeting us as we clung to the whipping rope. Looking down, the Thistlegorm slowly came into view in the green and the gloom, lying where she fell 79 years ago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nearing the bottom of the rope, Ayman let go and signaled for us to do the same. Although the wind and waves did not disturb the water 25 metres down, the current was strong. We drifted alongside the hull of the ship, past the point where the bombs had struck, to the stern which was lying on its side. I remember have rushes of excitement, tempered by the knowledge that I was visiting a war grave. The ship\u2019s single propeller came into view, and we drifted over the blades and around the stern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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