Akela

Written by Stephen Burton

Gulf of Thailand Near Cambodian Border
Discovered April 2008
The vessel was discovered by a team of international Technical Divers from the MV Trident
Jamie MacLeod , MV trident Shipwreck Research Vessel

(Photograph of Vessel very similar to the Akela, manufactured by the same shipyard)

(click images above for 100kb HIRES photo)

The superb images of the first trip to this vessel are given below
All underwater images on this page, copyright of Chris Clark www.acemarineimages.com ‘used with permission’

More Information on the Akela – courtesy of Mr Michael C. Barnette Association of Underwater Explorers

Some pics of the AKELA as the CAPITAINE WALLIS in the early 1970s. Her last name was HARDEWI and was the name she sailed under when she foundered in December 1983. She operated for Hardewi Shipping – might be able to contact the company for more info or images…

IDNo: 5007027
Year: 1954
Name: AKELA
Launch Date: 15.11.54
Type: Cargo ship
Flag: FRA
Tons: 1458
DWT: 1535
Yard No: z60
Length overall: 78.7m
LPP: 71.7m
Beam: 11.1m
Builder: Van Duijvendijk’s
Location of yard: Lekkerkerk
Number of screws/Mchy/ Speed(kn): 1D-12
End: 1983

Subsequent History:

70 CAPITAINE WALLIS – 74 SELATAN JAYA – 79 SEASWEEP – 82 HARDEWI Disposal
Foundered 9.17N/101.58E 16.12

Origonal Standardised shipwreck Discovery Report

VESSEL_NAME: Akela
VESSEL_NATIONALITY: Dutch
TYPE_OF_VESSEL: Freighter, post war
DEPTH_WRECK: 57
DEPTH_SEABED: 75
LOCATION: G of S
GPS_NORTH: 9
GPS_EAST: 102
WRECK_LENGTH: 95
WRECK_WIDTH: 15
WRECK_TONS: 4000
WRECK_PROPS: 1
BOTTOM_CONDITION: sand
SENDER_EMAIL: [email protected]
SENDER_DIVESHOP_EMAIL: OPTIONAL
SENDER_DIVESHOP_URL: www.techthailand.com
Date: Saturday, May 10, 2008
Time: 10:10:28 PM
HOW_WRECK_SUNK:
collision starboard amidships
WRECK_DOING_WHAT:
floating
OTHER_INFORMATION:
great vis, sharks, lots of goodies
DIVE_TEAM_NAME_EMAILS:
MV Trident