MV Aeolian Sky facts for kids
Quick facts for kids History |
|
|---|---|
 Greece |
|
| Owner | Proteus Maritime SA |
| Port of registry | Piraeus, Greece |
| Builder | Hashihama Shipyard, Japan |
| Launched | 2 November 1977 |
| Completed | 1978 |
| Identification | IMO number: 7640445 |
| Fate | Sunk 4 November 1979 following collision |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Cargo ship |
| Tonnage | 10,715 GRT |
| Length | 148 m (485 ft 7 in) |
| Beam | 21.95 m (72 ft 0 in) |
The Aeolian Sky was a large Greek cargo ship. It was built in 1978. In 1979, it crashed into another ship near the Channel Islands. After people tried to save it, the Aeolian Sky sank in a storm. It now rests off the coast of Dorset, England.
About the Aeolian Sky
The Aeolian Sky was finished in 1978. It was built at the Hashihama Shipyard in Japan. The ship was 148 metres (about 485 feet) long. It weighed over 14,000 tonnes. The ship was worth about £3 million. It was registered in Piraeus, Greece. Proteus Maritime SA ran the ship. It was a modern cargo ship. It had living areas for the crew. It also had large cranes to unload its cargo.
How the Aeolian Sky Sank
In late 1979, the Aeolian Sky sailed from Hull, England. It stopped in Rotterdam before heading to Dar es Salaam in Tanzania, Africa.
On November 3, 1979, the ship was about 20 miles off Guernsey. This is one of the Channel Islands. At 4:30 a.m., it crashed into a German ship called the Anna Knueppell. It was foggy and stormy at the time. A French tugboat from Cherbourg, named the Abeille Languedoc, arrived. It managed to attach a rope to the Aeolian Sky.
At first, they planned to tow the ship back to France. The Anna Knueppell was only slightly damaged. It stayed nearby to help if needed.
By 9:30 a.m., a Royal Navy helicopter arrived. It took most of the crew off the ship. The helicopter then had to leave because of engine problems. A few crew members stayed on the sinking ship. By this time, the Aeolian Sky had drifted far. Its front was sinking. So, the plan to go to France was changed. The tugboat started pulling the ship towards The Solent.
However, the ports of Portsmouth and Southampton said no. They were worried the sinking ship would block their busy waterways. The weather was very bad with strong winds. The tugboat then tried to pull the Aeolian Sky into the storm. It hoped to reach the safe Portland Harbour.
But at 3:45 a.m. on November 4, 1979, the ship took on too much water. It sank about 5 miles south of St Aldhelm's Head. This was still 12 miles from Portland. The ship settled on its left side. It lies in 30 metres (about 98 feet) of water. Its front faces south.
The Shipwreck Today
Since it sank, the Aeolian Sky has become a popular place for divers. Divers can reach it from Swanage, Weymouth, and the Isle of Portland. When it first sank, the top of the wreck was 9 metres (about 30 feet) below the surface. But salvage work and explosives were used to make it safer. Now, the top of the wreck is 18 metres (about 59 feet) deep. The front part of the ship was blown off. It now lies separate from the main part of the wreck. The wreck is located at 50°30.55′N 2°8.33′W / 50.50917°N 2.13883°W.
What Was on Board?
The Aeolian Sky was carrying many things. Divers often see parts of Land Rovers and pipes around the wreck. It also had two large diesel train engines. These were made for the Tanzania Railways. The ship was also carrying some chemicals. Some of these were dangerous.
Another interesting cargo was a million Seychelles Rupees. This is money from the Seychelles islands. Most of this money has not been found. But a few coins have been sold at auctions. Divers also report seeing thousands of jars of Marmite around the wreck!
