"Carnatic", this is how they baptized this "Steamer" in the Samuda Bros shipyards in London, a steam-powered ship (although it could also sail) of 1,776 tons and 90 meters in length. , when it was launched in December 1862. A year later it already belonged to the P&O shipping company where it would be in charge of transporting passengers from Suez to China, passing through Bombay.
It was therefore the second part of the journey that many colonists undertook from the metropolis to the colonies of the British Empire. At that time, the Suez Canal did not yet exist, so shipping companies took their passengers to Alexandria and, from there, they had to make the trip by land to Suez, where they were embarked again, thus avoiding the dangerous route around Africa.
His last trip
During the second week of September 1869 the Carnatic, under the command of Captain Philip Buton Jones, was in Suez arranging its cargo, this time in addition to 34 passengers and 176 crew, they had on board a valuable cargo of cotton, metal plates, mail and 40,000 pounds in cash, destined for the Indian Mint.
Finally, on Sunday, September 12, the Carnatic headed to Bombay. Captain Jones knew this route well and knew of the dangers that lurk in the Gulf of Suez, which is why he was stationed on the bridge day and night to personally direct the navigation maneuvers in this area. They maintained a constant speed of 11 knots until they saw the light from the Ashrafi lighthouse, which occurred at 11:40 p.m., just when the shift change occurred and the second in command came on duty.
Everything seemed to be going well, at one in the morning the mate sighted Shadwan Island ahead, but, inexplicably, the helmsman changed course to 46º and gradually to 51º. Just 18 minutes later they were on top of the reefs and, although they immediately changed course by putting the engines at full speed, it was already too late, they collided with the coral barrier that tore the hull to starboard.
The captain, as soon as he realized the disaster, assessed the damage and considered that they could keep the ship afloat for the moment by bailing out water and throwing a good part of the cotton cargo overboard, so he decided that it was safer than both. the crew and passengers remained on board.
The next day, the ship, despite Although it was taking on water, it was still afloat and in relatively good shape, with the pumps constantly bailing. The passengers were calm, so the captain decided to wait.
A hope that did not arrive in time
The Sumatra, another ship from the same company, was due to pass through there on its way to Suez that same day and the captain hoped that he could rescue them, thus avoiding having to evacuate 210 people, including passengers and crew. , to the distant island of Shadwan, that, without taking into account, the hardships they would endure until they were rescued from it. So he decided to serve dinner on board.
The crew spent hours searching the horizon for the figure of the Sumatra, but they did not see it. The captain decided to spend another night on the ship, confident that it would hold out, despite pleas from some passengers to be evacuated.
At 2 in the morning on the 14th the water reached the level of the boilers, it was final, the ship was sinking without remedy, but the captain still waited until 11 in the morning before allowing The first passengers abandoned the ship, confident in the passage of the Sumatra. At the precise moment when the women and children were boarding the first boat, the Carnatic split in two and the stern sank in a matter of minutes, taking the lives of 5 passengers and 26 crew members. Thirty-four hours afloat stranded on a coral reef had been too many.
It didn't take long for the rest of the ship to submerge either; people, already in the water, were fighting for their lives among the remains of the ship, until they managed to reach some of the lifeboats that remained afloat. Once safe, the men took turns paddling day and night to Shadwan Island, avoiding more coral reefs.
Once on dry land, the cotton that had also washed up there by the tide helped them stay dry until they finally sighted the long-awaited Sumatra.
Upon his return to Suez, the captain was required in England for an official investigation into what happened. The boatswain was found guilty of the shipwreck by not checking the position of the lighthouse on the map and was sentenced to nine months without being able to embark on any ship. Captain Jones, a young but experienced navigator, with plenty of experience on the routes to Asia and the other side of the Atlantic, never embarked again of his own free will.
Immersion in the remains of the Carnatic
This wonderful wreck is located on the Sha'b Abu Nuhas reef, two miles north of the island of Shadwan, at the entrance to the Gobal Strait, towards the Suez Canal. br />
Located next to the base of the reef between the remains of two other large wrecks, the "Ghiannis D" and the "Chrisoula K", a very superficial visit to these three fantastic wrecks is possible in a single dive.
The Carnatic is resting on its port side on a bottom of sand and small rocks, at a depth of 27 meters. The bow, facing east, is the shallowest part and rests on the reef wall at 18 meters, while the propeller lies 27 meters above the bottom. The ship broke in two before sinking, but curiously, it rests practically together.
The stern is one of the most interesting parts of the boat. When dive we recommend starting the tour here, since it is the point that is at the deepest depth.
It is practically intact and we can see the stern castle with its seven interesting square windows and, beneath them, the rudder and the large three-bladed propeller of this beautiful ship, one of the last of its class, powered by sail-steam. br />
Continuing the tour along either side, we will observe the davits of the lifeboats, lowered to evacuate the crew and passengers moments before their final sinking.
The boat, built of steel and wood, is in good general condition, although all the parts in which the latter material was used have practically disappeared.
Another area that you should not miss is its interior. With easy access and transit, you can explore the interior space between the missing deck and beneath it, in a ghostly walk, the steel structures that supported the entire interior framework of the wreck. Well illuminated by the multiple cavities that allow the passage of natural light, it is advisable to carry a spotlight to capture all the details and observe the interior life that has colonized these remains, like countless alcyonaries of all colors.
In theholds we will still find remains of the cargo, such as bales of cotton and metal, and with a little luck, some coin of the 18,000 pounds that legend says were never recovered. Towards the middle of the remains we will find the large coal boiler and the inverted four-cylinder engine that /> Immersion in the remains of the Carnatic
This wonderful wreck is located on the Sha'b Abu Nuhas reef, two miles north of the island of Shadwan, at the entrance to the Gobal Strait, towards the Suez Canal. br />
Located next to the base of the reef between the remains of two other large wrecks, the "Ghiannis D" and the "Chrisoula K", a very superficial visit to these three fantastic wrecks is possible in a single dive.
The Carnatic is resting on its port side on a bottom of sand and small rocks, at a depth of 27 meters. The bow, facing east, is the shallowest part and rests on the reef wall at 18 meters, while the propeller lies 27 meters above the bottom. The ship broke in two before sinking, but curiously, it rests practically together.
The stern is one of the most interesting parts of the boat. When dive we recommend starting the tour here, since it is the point that is at the deepest depth.
It is practically intact and we can see the stern castle with its seven interesting square windows and, beneath them, the rudder and the large three-bladed propeller of this beautiful ship, one of the last of its class, powered by sail-steam. br />
Continuing the tour along either side, we will observe the davits of the lifeboats, lowered to evacuate the crew and passengers moments before their final sinking.
The boat, built of steel and wood, is in good general condition, although all the parts in which the latter material was used have practically disappeared.
Another area that you should not miss is its interior. With easy access and transit, you can explore the interior space between the missing deck and beneath it, in a ghostly walk, the steel structures that supported the entire interior framework of the wreck. Well illuminated by the multiple cavities that allow the passage of natural light, it is advisable to carry a spotlight to capture all the details and observe the interior life that has colonized these remains, like countless alcyonaries of all colors.
In theholds we will still find remains of the cargo, such as bales of cotton and metal, and with a little luck, some coin of the 18,000 pounds that legend says were never recovered. Towards the middle of the remains we will find the large coal boiler and the inverted four-cylinder engine that
