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The Wreck of the Steamship Suddhadiba.k.a. The 'Hardeep' shipwreck (An Anglicization of Suthathip, or S.S. Suddhadib) (Pattaya, Thailand) Wreck GPS Location:- N012’31.5, E100’57.5. Near Koh Chuang, Gulf of Siam Vessels name:- Suthathip, Registration:-Thai, Sunk:- 1st June 1945Depth=26meters ; Suitable for Air, Nitrox, technical diving
All Computer generated images courtesy of Mr Alex Beuchel, alexbeuchel@gmail.com Used with permission.New images from Latest Alex Beuchel Survey Jan 2008
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Pictures below are of a sword and scabbard
Vessel
type:-
Cargo ship
Siam Steam Navigation Company
HP 900, BRT 1.311, TDW 955
Courtesy of Mr Peter Walker & Royal Thai Navy sources. updated August 2005
I thought you might be interested in seeing the attached photo of the "Suddhadib". This is certainly an early photo of the ship that you dived on all those times
.
The
latter part comes from Thai naval records which I translated yesterday and
confirms exactly the RAF operation logs that I sent you earlier.
Regards
Peter Walker
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Suthathip Wreck is a steam ship build by Dearn Rua Thai company (Thai
Shipping Co.), it was built to be use as a cargo ship for Hong Kong and Vambua
company. The name of the engineer who built the ship is Mr. K. Farsdao.
Suthathip is a one propeller with 3
cylinder steam engine (105.5 horse power).
The length of the ship is 68.11 meter, beam 10.84 meter, height 5.43
meter. The size is 802.97 ton net. Registration date
Dearn Rua Thai company use Suthathip as cargo ship
approximately 3 years before was called by the Royal Thai Navy to assist in
the WWII. On
On the 1st of June, 12.36 pm, 10-15 bombing
squadron attack the place where Suthathip and other ship were anchor. H.T.M.S.
U Thong, H.T.M.S Angthong and H.T.M.S. Tha Chin were hit bit still afloat
while Suthathip which did not have any cannon to protect herself was severely
hit, caught on fire and sank at
Some say that the original name of the ship is “Hardeep”,
but was called “Suthathip” after she sank as the resting place is right in
front to Suthathip bay, Koa Chuang.
There have been numerous rumors surrounding the Hardeep s sinking. They are included here for historical record. The most correct version from Thai Naval Archives is included above.
Sinking theory #1:- The Harddeep was sank by French aircraft while re-supplying the Thai armed forces during the Thai-Franco hostilities during 1941.
Sinking theory #2:- The Harddeep was sunk by Australian/New Zealand aircraft while carrying a cargo of construction equipment for the Japanese 'Death Valley' railway project while on a voyage from Indonesia to Satahip Naval base.
Evidence that the Harddeep was sunk by an aerial attack is furnished by the two large unexploded 1000 pound bombs lying on the sea bed near the wreck. Both bombs lie approx 100-150 meters aft of the vessel at a depth of 27-33 meters. The bombs have brass nose and tail fuses, and were probably dropped from insufficient height to arm themselves before striking the water. That a bomb exploded nearby to the ship and caused it's sinking is evidenced by a large tear in the plates on the port side of the aft cargo hold. This large fracture would have sunk the vessel in minutes. Fuses often have serial numbers on them, when I'm bored with life one day, I'll knock the barnacle encrustation off them with a lump hammer and chisel to read the numbers. Volunteers for this exciting piece of research may contact me at my usual address...
The Harddeep lies on its starboard side at a max depth 26 meters, with two unexploded 1000 pound bombs nearby. The entire structure is encrusted in heavy coral growth and makes a lovely 'cavern' dive. It is possible to swim from one end of the wreck to the other without leaving the wreck. Both large forward and aft holds offer safe, well lit penetration dives for all but the chicken scared. The large steam engine has been removed through a purpose cut hole in the side making access to the engine room easy. Remains of the funnel and chain winch capstans lie on the seabed nearby. In all likelihood the large brass prop would have been removed by local Thai salvagers before it stopped spinning, and what remains of the cargo is nowhere to be seen. Large lumps of coal rest in the engine room next to the 3 enormous boilers. Once having battled down the line against the fierce currents that often flow over this wreck, the Harddeep makes for a lovely dive. There is a lot of sea life on the wreck including a resident turtle, a few rays, the usual giant grouper, and a giant starry puffer fish often lurking just above the boilers. When diving the wreck aim to be first down the rope before other cretins scare them away. B2
Phone: +66-1-374-7034
Email: peter@peterwalker.com
URL:
http://www.peterwalker.com
[Peter
Walker]--> My investigations with the RAF have returned some information and an
operations log that appear to confirm the Thai navy record of the sinking of the
Suthathip (Hardeep):
On the next day, 1 June 1945, fourteen aircraft of No. 159 Squadron were ordered to return to Satahib Bay. Four aircraft, were detailed to lay mines - "F" captained by P/O J.A. Atkins, "H" by P/O R.R. Temple-Smith, "Q" by W/ O Newman, W., and "V" by F/O E j. Foot, R.C.A.F. Ten aircraft were detailed to attack enemy shipping in the Bay - "T" captained by the C.O., W/C L.B. Ercolani, "R" by F/L C.F. Williams, R.C.A.F, "B" by F/O E.B. Robinson, R.C.A.F, "Z" by F/O S. Kinnear, R.C.A.F, "J" by F/L R.W. Williams, "A" by F/ L R.M. Borthwick, R. C.A.F., "K" by P/O T. L. De Nett, "C" by S/L TW. Watson, R.C.A.F, who had been recently promoted to senior rank, "U" by P/O M.C. Mazengarb, and "D" by P/O R. Lee. The aircraft took off at Digri before six in the morning and returned around eight at night. Over the target area there was good light and visibility with scattered high cirrus cloud. The primary target was the Anthong Depot Ship.
The previous medium level attack had been carried out against this Thai naval anchorage without achieving spectacular success. Chiefly this was due to the difficulty of obtaining hits on moving surface craft from medium level bombing. This time the plan was first for some aircraft again to bomb from medium level. Then, when all attention was directed to this attack some aircraft would skip in at low level and do their work. At the same time four aircraft would mine the entrance to the harbour to discourage escape. The C.O. served as master bomber to direct the attack.
The attack went well and according to plan. The Anthong class submarine depot ship was hit and left burning fiercely from end to end. Eventually it heeled over and sank. The crew of aircraft "R" (F/L. C.F. Williams) attacked a small tanker which exploded from a direct hit, followed immediately by fire and black smoke. The ship sank in 3-4 minutes leaving debris and oil on the sea. A 250 foot sloop was bombed amidships and seriously damaged. There was meagre and inaccurate light A/A from known positions. Other shipping was strafed and on the way home aircraft "H" (P/O. Temple-Smith) strafed trains at Bhejburi with great success. Box cars exploded violently producing brilliant red flashes and heavy black smoke. Altogether it was a successful operation and all aircraft returned safely to Digri. Aircraft "K" (P/O. De Nett) landed at Ramree on the way home with a failing engine. Aircraft "Q" (W/O. Newman) returned early after encountering adverse weather conditions. Aircraft "Z" (F/O. Kinnear) developed engine trouble and could not take off.
Now take
a look at the operation
log book (attached). In particular, note the comments about the bomb
passing through the ship and exploding underneath. This might explain why the
ship is not damaged the way you would expect it to be if a 1000 lb bomb had
exploded onboard.
And compare it with what the Thai Navy said:
On the 1st of June, 12.36 pm, 10-15 bombing squadron attack the place where Suthathip and other ship were anchor. H.T.M.S. U Thong, H.T.M.S Angthong and H.T.M.S. Tha Chin were hit bit still afloat while Suthathip which did not have any cannon to protect herself was severely hit, caught on fire and sank at 12.55 pm.
Here is why I believe that this information from the RAF corroborates the Thai navy record:
Fishermen using explosives damage HTMS Chuthatip and coral reefs
Jan 2007
A special patrol was sent out to investigate after receiving reports that fishermen in the area are using explosives to fish.
Patcharapol Panrak
Fishermen using explosives in the ocean off Sattahip have caused damage to
underwater sites, leading to a drop in the number of tourists diving in the
area.
The sunken World War Two warship HTMS Chuthatip in Saem San Bay is amongst the
sites damaged, and dive tour operators are complaining that the bay’s exotic
fish are being frightened away.
Captain Chamnong Kittipiraphol, commander of Fleet 1 at Sattahip, says that many
complaints have been received from Thai and foreign tourists that explosives
have been used by fishermen around various islands in Saem San Bay and also
around the area where HTMS Chuthatip has been laid to rest, between Koh Juang
and Koh Rong Khone.
Tourists are saying there are no scenic diving spots left and that all the large
fish have deserted the area. Captain Chamnong reported the matter to Admiral
Nopporn Achavakhom, commander of the Strategic Fleet, before sending his deputy
Captain Pachon Ramkomot and a team to investigate.
They found that explosions have occurred around HTMS Chuthatip, which lies 26
meters under the surface. The patrol investigated the various islands in the
area and found that a lot of damage had been done to the coral reefs. Tourists
and dive tour operators are now being asked if they have any information on who
is carrying out the illicit bombings. Call the Strategic Fleet Command on 038-438008.
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