An official war grave, HMAT Warilda makes a fascinating dive.
Photo: Paul Webster
Initially designed as a coastal ship in 1912, she was intended to transport three classes of passengers in varying degrees of comfort, but after the start of the First World War, she was requisitioned by the Admiralty and used first as a troop ship in 1915 and then as a hospital ship in 1916. On 3 August 1918, on the way from Le Havre to Southampton, she was torpedoed by the German submarine UC-49 and sank within two hours. Of the 801 on board, 123 lives were lost.
The remains of the 135m-long structure now lies at a depth of 50m, some 10m proud of the sea bed, with a 45-degree
list to port. The stern section is arguably the most interesting portion of this wreck, with the massive sweep of the stern towering over the rudder and propeller,
and a stern gun lying on the sea bed nearby. An enjoyable wreck, but one to dive with respect.
