The Rota was a 300ft steamer torpedoed by UB 40 now lying 7 miles SE of Berry Head in 48m of water with the shallowest point being 36m. A superb technical / deep dive, but can be dark!

Dive Site Name: Rota          Dive Type: Wreck Dive     

Max Depth Seabed: 48m             Depth to top of Wreck: 36m  

Approximate Position: 50 24 98N  003,18.92W

Tonnage: 2171tonnes    Length: 94.6m       Cargo: Iron Ore

Date Lost: 22/07/1917      How Lost: Torpedoed UB 40

Minimum Qualification: Deep / Technical Diver  (Or Equivilent)

 

SS Rota was built by Dunlop Bremner & Co. Ltd. Port of Glasgow yard#285 and launched on the 10th February 1915. She was originally owned by a Danish firm Dansk-Russiske D/S (Dampskibs-Selskab = Steamship Company)Wreck of the Rota Torbay Copenhagen and at the time of her sinking was operated by Furness, Withy & Co. Ltd., London (requisition). The SS Rota was a British steamer of 2171 tons.

On July 22nd, 1917 the SS Rota was on passage from Benisaf (Algeria) to Middlesbrough with a cargo of iron ore. She was spotted by UB-40 commander Oberleutnanant Hans Howaldt 7 miles SE of Berry Head. Howaldt had already sunk the Salsette 2 days previously and had been heavily depth charged and tracked by surface vessels.

Although she was aremd defensively with a stern gun (stll present) she did not stand a chance when she was torpedoed by UB-40. She was hit on the starboard side between the bridge and the bows, the ROta sank quickly with the loss of 5 lives including the master.

She lays in 48m of water although we have had over 50m recorded in the scour. She is reasonably intact and is upright on the seabed.

 

More Info:

http://divesouthdevon.com/Wrecks.html

http://www.wrecksite.eu/wreck.aspx?10298

http://www.uboat.net/wwi/ships_hit/5224.html

 

http://www.clydesite.co.uk/clydebuilt/viewship.asp?id=15659