100 Best Wreck Dives
THE BASIL - 77
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| Number 77 |
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3220-ton steamer, built 1895. 338ft x 44ft. Triple expansion engines. Armed. Cargo: Artillery ammunition, Southampton to Boulogne. Position: 50 35.00N; 00 41.00W. Depth: 35m.
Sunk: 11 November, 1917, by foundering after collision in fog with French steamer Margaux. 13 crew drowned.
Diving: Sits upright, bow section has parted from hull and is listing 45* to port. Stern stands 7m proud with gun pointing aft. Two decks have collapsed. Some shells remain despite salvage of cargo. Engine exposed.
Launch: Bognor, Littlehampton.
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