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Diver Inspection
Date 2013
Event ID 998477
Category Recording
Type Diver Inspection
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/998477
58 52.975 N 2 53.867 W The remains lie on a sandy bottom in about 5m – 7m of water. The wreckage has a moderate coverage of short animal turf on the submerged sections. The debris can be affected by storm swells but are generally sheltered from tide. The wrecks in Skerry Sound are subject to coastal accretion with an increase in sedimentation
caused by the construction of the barriers.
A large triple expansion engine that is partly covered with sand and four Scotch boilers were identified. An additional donkey boiler was recorded lying to the east of the main wreck.
Midships, the debris is well broken down and in addition to steel ribs and plates, some air vents, and some hanging knees were recorded. As noted in the side scan data, the bow is well preserved. It stands about 5m proud of the seabed and is listing to port. A small section of the bow is visible above the water at low tide and sections of the bow railing are intact.
An abandoned creel was noted in the wreckage.
Analysis
Historical documents and images confirm that these are the remains of the SS Ilsenstein, Historical photographs clearly show the SS Ilsenstein in position next to the Emerald Wings identified by the distinctive forward mast. The UKHO report indicates that the 1972 UK record that the remains of the Ilsenstein abut those of the SS Elton. As discussed above this has been shown to be inaccurate.
It is a commonly reported that the Ilsenstein had a twin triple expansion engine with a single shaft (http://www.wrecksite.eu/wreck.aspx?11635); however, the Lloyds reports for 1918-1919 indicate that the vessel was a twin screw with two six-cylinder engines. This could not be verified from the visible remains recorded during these surveys.
It should also be noted that the UKHO record of the SS Ilsenstein record the wrong tonnage (1508 vs the actual tonnage of 8212)
A British steel steamship registered in Bremen, the SS Ilsenstein was built in 1904 by Workman, Clark & Co. Ltd., Belfast, as Matatua, for Shaw, Savill & Albion Co., Ltd., Southampton. The Matatua was renamed SS Ilsenstein in 1928 when purchased by Arnold Bernstein. Sold to Metal Industries, Ltd in June 1939 for scrapping. The vessel was subsequently requisitioned by the Admiralty and was scuttled as a Blockship in Skerry Sound on 18th February 1940 as a replacement to the SS Cape Ortegal.
Information from Annalisa Christie, Kevin Heath and Mark Littlewood (ORCA) March 2014
