Cargo vessel · 1900–1921 · Northumberland, United Kingdom
SS Abessinia
Also known as Abessinia, SS Abyssinia.
She ran onto the rocks in September 1921 on her way home from Chile, and the reef has been digesting her ever since. Her boiler stands clear of the surrounding jumble at 18 metres as the main reference point, while the bow section — complete with anchor and chain — has slid down to the western side of the reef. Gullies criss-crossing the rock are stuffed with additional wreckage that rewards careful exploration.
The rocks only show at low-water springs, so the reef's location is a navigational challenge in itself.
- Type
- Cargo vesselGerman
- Year built
- 1900Palmers' Shipbuilding & Iron Co, Jarrow
- Lost
- September 3rd, 1921Grounding
- Tonnage
- 7,717 GRTsteam
- Length
- 137.8 m15.9 m beam
- Depth
- 16–22 m
- Location
- Northumberland, United KingdomNorth Sea
4 of 7 facts above are cited in Sources below.
Deeper than 59 of the 185 wrecks on the map with a recorded depth.
- Tonnage: 7,717 GRT shown; range in sources 5,753–7,717 GRT. Other published figures exist (why sources disagree).
History and LossLost September 3rd, 1921 · Grounding · Northumberland, United Kingdom.
Ran onto the Knivestone reef, Farne Islands, while returning from Chile to Germany. The largest vessel ever wrecked on the Farne Islands.
Built 1900 by Palmers' Shipbuilding & Iron Co, Jarrow; 21 years in service, also recorded as Abessinia and SS Abyssinia. Lost September 3rd, 1921, grounding.
Condition of the WreckBroken, in 16–22 m.
Intactness
Supposedly the largest vessel wrecked on the Farne Islands. Boiler prominent among jumble of wreckage. Bow section with anchor and chain on western reef. More wreckage in gullies criss-crossing the area.
Notable Features
- Largest wreck on the Farne Islands
- Prominent boiler at 18m
- Anchor and chain on western reef
- Combined with grey seal encounters
Additional Details12 further fields held for this wreck and not shown above.
- Nationality
- German
- Flag
- Germany
- Builder
- Palmers' Shipbuilding & Iron Co, Jarrow
- Propulsion
- Steam
- Loss date
- September 3rd, 1921
- Latitude
- 55.65° N
- Longitude
- 1.60° W
- Water body
- North Sea
- War grave
- No
- Protected
- No
- Permit required
- No
- Condition
- Broken
Sources and VerificationEvery cited fact on this page traces to a published source.
- tynesidebsac.co.uktynesidebsac.co.uk · Secondary source9 facts
- tynebuiltships.co.uktynebuiltships.co.uk · Secondary source7 facts
- zentacle.comzentacle.com · Secondary source7 facts
- scubadiving.com (archived)scubadiving.com · Secondary source6 facts
- dsm.museumdsm.museum · Secondary source4 facts
- anbord.deanbord.de · Secondary source2 facts
- norwayheritage.comnorwayheritage.com · Secondary source1 fact
- Thai Wreck Diverthaiwreckdiver.com · Club or operator4 facts
- Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org · Background reading5 facts
Background reading is listed for context and is not counted as a citation for the facts above.
A further 3 fields were derived from the wreck’s recorded position rather than taken from a source.
Licences and credits for the open data used on this site are on the Attribution page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the SS Abessinia?
SS Abessinia is the wreck of a cargo vessel, off Northumberland, United Kingdom, at 22 metres. SS Abessinia ran aground and was wrecked in 1921.
How deep is the SS Abessinia?
SS Abessinia lies at 16 to 22 metres, Knivestone rocks, Farne Islands, Northumberland.
How did the SS Abessinia sink?
SS Abessinia ran aground and was wrecked on September 3rd, 1921, off Northumberland, United Kingdom.