Shag Rock
This egg-shaped reef runs basically northwest to southeast. The reeftop is marked by a light beacon as well as the wreck of a fishing boat. The wreck of the The Kingston / Sarah H lies in the shallows just offshore.
The barely submerged reeftop is surrounded by a sloping reef wall, made up of a decent range of hard and soft corals. There are plenty of branching forms and a few patches of very nice soft corals. The site hosts a wide-ranging population of fish with lots of schooling fish and pelagics.
The best dive is along the reef's eastern side. The shallow location of the The Kingston / Sarah H is a bonus for snorkellers. The stern section is particularly atmospheric, with its looming bulk silhouetted against the clear light which penetrates the shallow waters.
There is no shipwreck called the Sarah H.. In the early 1990’s, Shlomo Cohen spent considerable time working with various Diving resorts based on the Sinai Peninsula whilst writing his excellent book "Red Sea Divers Guide." Towards the end of his stay, he came across a previously unknown shipwreck on Shag Rock.
Ten years ago, nobody had any idea of the ship’s name, history or nationality. On top of that, she had been underwater for so long, there was no chance of any local fisherman having any personal knowledge of the wreck.
Like all good writers, Mr Cohen needed to give the vessel a working name - not an uncommon practice by any means. He was operating from the Dive Boat "Sea Surveyor" at the time and their Skipper was David Hillel. It just so happened that his charming wife Sarah was also the resident Divemaster. Consequently, it was suggested that the unknown wreck be named in honour of Sarah and, whilst this was welcomed by all, a little more "credibility" was added by including the "H" from her surname.
Thus the "Sarah H" came into being. A couple of years later, however, the wreck was correctly identified as the Kingston (see below!). Even so, as recently as 1999, yet another Diving Guide would be published calling this wreck "Sarah H." T
This egg-shaped reef runs basically northwest to southeast. The reeftop is marked by a light beacon as well as the wreck of a fishing boat. The wreck of the The Kingston / Sarah H lies in the shallows just offshore.
The barely submerged reeftop is surrounded by a sloping reef wall, made up of a decent range of hard and soft corals. There are plenty of branching forms and a few patches of very nice soft corals. The site hosts a wide-ranging population of fish with lots of schooling fish and pelagics.
The best dive is along the reef's eastern side. The shallow location of the The Kingston / Sarah H is a bonus for snorkellers. The stern section is particularly atmospheric, with its looming bulk silhouetted against the clear light which penetrates the shallow waters.
There is no shipwreck called the Sarah H.. In the early 1990’s, Shlomo Cohen spent considerable time working with various Diving resorts based on the Sinai Peninsula whilst writing his excellent book "Red Sea Divers Guide." Towards the end of his stay, he came across a previously unknown shipwreck on Shag Rock.
Ten years ago, nobody had any idea of the ship’s name, history or nationality. On top of that, she had been underwater for so long, there was no chance of any local fisherman having any personal knowledge of the wreck.
Like all good writers, Mr Cohen needed to give the vessel a working name - not an uncommon practice by any means. He was operating from the Dive Boat "Sea Surveyor" at the time and their Skipper was David Hillel. It just so happened that his charming wife Sarah was also the resident Divemaster. Consequently, it was suggested that the unknown wreck be named in honour of Sarah and, whilst this was welcomed by all, a little more "credibility" was added by including the "H" from her surname.
Thus the "Sarah H" came into being. A couple of years later, however, the wreck was correctly identified as the Kingston (see below!). Even so, as recently as 1999, yet another Diving Guide would be published calling this wreck "Sarah H." T
The Kingston
The Kingston was built in Sunderland by the Oswald Shipbuilding Company and launched on 16th February 1871. She was technically described as an "Iron, Screw, Brigantine" and was one of a relatively new breed of ship which had a funnel as well as two masts.
Powered by a single, 2 cylinder compound steam-engine, the Kingston was capable of a top speed of 11 knots. She was a general cargo vessel and measured 78m long, 10m wide and had draught of 6m. She displaced 1,449 gross registered tons.
Powered by a single, 2 cylinder compound steam-engine, the Kingston was capable of a top speed of 11 knots. She was a general cargo vessel and measured 78m long, 10m wide and had draught of 6m. She displaced 1,449 gross registered tons.
Loss of The Kingston
On the morning of 20th January 1881, Captain Cousins sailed from London in charge of the Kingston - the destination was Aden.
Sailing via the Mediterranean and the Suez Canal, the Kingston finally cleared Suez on 20th February 1881. Cousins decided to remain in charge of the ship for the entire length of the Straits of Suez himself.
He took no rest as he continued to double check every single detail of navigating the Kingston safely through some very treacherous waters. Then at long last, the Kingston was nearing the open Red Sea and, even though it was now dark, Cousins felt that the immediate dangers were now over and that he could relax. He duly gave some short and sharp instructions to the First Mate and retired to his cabin. He had been awake for almost 2 days...
In the early hours of February 22nd the Kingston struck Shag Rock. Within moments, the Captain was back on the bridge and taking charge of the situation.
For two days the crew fought to keep the Kingston afloat but it was a lost cause. Knowing that help would not be long in arriving, Cousins remained on the Kingston until the last possible moment when the Kingston suddenly settled by the stern. The Kingston then slipped gracefully backwards from the Reef. Soon, only the Masts were visible and it was right next to these Captain and Crew were found - less than two hours later. No injuries or loss of life was sustained.
The Kingston sits upright on an even keel with her bows smashed into the Reef. Strong currents prevail over the wreck so it is better to start with an inspection of the stern section at 17m - where the propeller and Rudder are found, before swimming up, over the top and into the wreck itself.
The Kingston is in remarkable condition. Just less than half of the hull to the stern is still fairly intact. The weight of the cargo of coal keeps everything in place and prevents the vessel from being pushed over by the strong currents. Immediately above the stern, are remnants of the tiller. Nearby is evidence of portholes having been removed. The wooden decks have rotted away leaving a series of spars and other metal beams - on top of which sits a spare propeller.
The wreck is entirely wide open. There are two levels beneath the various spars and no enclosed spaces. Amidships is well broken up - although various fittings and a large Boiler are still found. The front half of the ship is nothing more than a collection of large pieces of debris scattered on a coral slope. The masts lie alongside the wreck facing up the Reef.
Back to the Northan Tour
Excerpt from ‘Shipwrecks from the Egyptian Red Sea’ by Ned Middleton.
Sailing via the Mediterranean and the Suez Canal, the Kingston finally cleared Suez on 20th February 1881. Cousins decided to remain in charge of the ship for the entire length of the Straits of Suez himself.
He took no rest as he continued to double check every single detail of navigating the Kingston safely through some very treacherous waters. Then at long last, the Kingston was nearing the open Red Sea and, even though it was now dark, Cousins felt that the immediate dangers were now over and that he could relax. He duly gave some short and sharp instructions to the First Mate and retired to his cabin. He had been awake for almost 2 days...
In the early hours of February 22nd the Kingston struck Shag Rock. Within moments, the Captain was back on the bridge and taking charge of the situation.
For two days the crew fought to keep the Kingston afloat but it was a lost cause. Knowing that help would not be long in arriving, Cousins remained on the Kingston until the last possible moment when the Kingston suddenly settled by the stern. The Kingston then slipped gracefully backwards from the Reef. Soon, only the Masts were visible and it was right next to these Captain and Crew were found - less than two hours later. No injuries or loss of life was sustained.
The Kingston sits upright on an even keel with her bows smashed into the Reef. Strong currents prevail over the wreck so it is better to start with an inspection of the stern section at 17m - where the propeller and Rudder are found, before swimming up, over the top and into the wreck itself.
The Kingston is in remarkable condition. Just less than half of the hull to the stern is still fairly intact. The weight of the cargo of coal keeps everything in place and prevents the vessel from being pushed over by the strong currents. Immediately above the stern, are remnants of the tiller. Nearby is evidence of portholes having been removed. The wooden decks have rotted away leaving a series of spars and other metal beams - on top of which sits a spare propeller.
The wreck is entirely wide open. There are two levels beneath the various spars and no enclosed spaces. Amidships is well broken up - although various fittings and a large Boiler are still found. The front half of the ship is nothing more than a collection of large pieces of debris scattered on a coral slope. The masts lie alongside the wreck facing up the Reef.
Back to the Northan Tour
Excerpt from ‘Shipwrecks from the Egyptian Red Sea’ by Ned Middleton.
