The Luciston Collier, also known as SS Luciston, is a historic World War I wreck located near Malta. This British coal cargo ship played a crucial role during the war but met its fate when it was torpedoed by a German submarine on 29th November 1916 while en route from Cardiff to Malta.
Key Features of the Wreck Site:
- Depth: The wreck lies at a significant depth, with an average of 95 meters and a maximum of 105 meters, making it a site only accessible to technical divers using trimix.
- Location: The Luciston Collier is located approximately 6 km east of Delimara.
- Ship Specifications: The SS Luciston was about 100 meters in length with a beam of 25 meters.
- Dive Experience: The wreck is in a fragmentary state but many of its major features are still visible. Divers can explore parts like a winch, anchor, ladder, and a gun that is still in place. The wreck is inverted, with the most interesting parts at the sand/silt level. Coal deposits are also scattered around the seabed.
Diving Conditions and Requirements:
- The site is known for being very silty, requiring great care to avoid stirring the bottom and reducing visibility.
- There is a good amount of marine life on the wreck.
- A special permit managed by Heritage Malta is required to dive this site.
Historical Significance:
- The Luciston was first discovered in the late 1990s and underwent extensive surveying in 2015.
- It is a piece of underwater history, giving divers a chance to connect with the past and explore a significant relic from World War I.
The Luciston Collier offers a unique and challenging dive for those interested in historical wrecks and possesses the technical skills required for deep wreck diving.
Nationality: British
Purpose: Transport
Type: Cargo ship
Subtype/class: Coal cargo ship (collier) class
Propulsion: Steam
Date built: 1910
Tonnage: 2948 grt
Dimensions: 98.4 x 24.5 x — m
Engine: Triple expansion engine, single shaft, 1 screw
Yard no.: 317
Gallery:
