The USS Thistlegorm

The USS Thistlegorm was a British cargo ship built during World War II, intended to transport vital supplies to the Allied forces. In September 1941, the ship departed from Britain bound for Alexandria, Egypt, carrying a variety of military equipment and supplies for British troops in North Africa. The cargo included trucks, motorcycles, weapons, ammunition, locomotives, and spare parts. After a lengthy voyage, due to the need to take safer routes, the Thistlegorm anchored in the Gubal Strait, north of the Red Sea, awaiting clearance to continue its journey.

On the night of October 5, 1941, German Heinkel HE 111 planes spotted the Thistlegorm while searching for military targets. The bombers launched their attack, directly hitting the ship’s ammunition hold. The explosion was devastating, splitting the ship in two and sending it to the seafloor. Four sailors and five Royal Navy crew members lost their lives in the attack, while the survivors were rescued by nearby ships.
Today, the Thistlegorm is one of the world’s most famous wreck dives, located about 30 meters deep in the crystal-clear waters of the Red Sea, Egypt. Its history and the vast military cargo that can still be seen on-site make it an iconic and fascinating diving destination.

Divers visiting the Thistlegorm have the opportunity to explore the remains of the ship and see up close the submerged trucks, motorcycles, and locomotives, as well as numerous ammunition boxes and weapons scattered across the seabed. The wreck is relatively accessible to both recreational and technical divers, and the ship’s various compartments offer a rich diversity of marine life. It’s common to spot schools of fish, corals, and even large predators, such as sharks, which now inhabit the wreck.

Diving the Thistlegorm is an experience that combines history and a fascination with wrecks, along with the beauty of the Red Sea’s marine life, making it one of the most sought-after dive sites worldwide.