Maritime record MHG24112 - Manipur: Cape Wrath

NC18SW 8003 1482 8218
N 58 41.28 W 5 11.71

Formerly NC18SW 8399

Quality of fix = HF6
Evidence = Echo sounder
Horizontal Datum = OGB
General water depth = 68
Orientation of keel/wreck = ENE/WSW

Circumstances of Loss Details
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The steamship MANIPUR was built 1920. She was torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U57, whilst en-route from Baltimore/Halifax to London in convoy HX.55a. She was owned at the time of loss by T & J Brocklebank.
Sources; Dictionary of Disasters at Sea, World War II Shipping Loses, Axis Submarine Successes.

Surveying Details
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10 January 1940. The wreck's position is given as 58 41 00N, 005 14 00W. It is also given as 6 miles NW of Cape Wrath.

23 Decemer 1971. A salvage contract has been taken by Risdon Beazley Ulrick Harms. Some recoveries were made.
Report by Department of Trade and Industry, November 1971.

7 December 1976. The wreck is a cargo vessel, lying in 2 parts. It was located at decca [n scot] red b 8.70, green a 37.19, purple d 65.35. Report by Risdon Beazley, 27 October 1976 - the wreck was first located in 1956-57.
Note: this plots to 58 41 23N, 005 11 52W.

10 May 1984. The position was investigated on 23 September 1983. Nothing was found except a 1 point contact, possibly debris, standing 1 metre high at 58 41 02N, 005 14 04W. A large well broken up wreck was located at 58 41 17N, 005 11 43W using west Orkney hyperfix patts 2-1, 6-4, 5-1, giving NGR eastings 214825, and northings 982170. The least echosounder depth was 60 in a general depth of 68 metres. No scouring was observed. The side scan sonar indicated a height of 8 metres, length 200 metres (656 feet), and width of 40 metres (131 feet). The vessel is lying with its keel orientated 068/247 degrees.
Report by Racal Survey.

4 July 1986. Salvage operations are taking place at a position bearing 301 degrees, 7.2 miles from Cape Wrath. The site is marked by 4 x 1.2 diameter soft orange foam buoys.
Report by Kilburns Salvage Company Ltd, 19 June 1986.

Hydrographic Office, 1995.

Wreck reported as very broken up.
Source; Baird 1995