More information : Wreck site and archaeological remains:
Horizontal Datum: OGB
Vertical Datum: LAT
Quality of Depth: VS
Method of Fix: EDM (1)
This wreck has been adopted by the Newhaven Scuba Club under the Nautical Archaeological Society "Adopt a Wreck Scheme". (1)
11-APR-1918: Reported lost 7 miles South of Newhaven. Masts visible.
10-NOV-1936: Position 50 40 10.0N, 000 05 38.0E off Beachy Head light. Least water over wreck 49ft.
01-AUG-1969: Wreck now lies uprigt in 100ft of water with the wheelhouse structure collapsed into a hold. Gun on after deck facing bow.
23-FEB-1970: Ammunition is reported on the ship under the gun scattered in the gun mounting area.
28-MAR-1973: Found almost 100m long and 9m high.
21-AUG-1979: Reported as small coaster, lying upright, stern damaged and heading east. 1000 gross tons.
16-JAN-1980: Examined in 50 40 10.0N, 000 05 38.0E. Estimated depth 15.8m in a general depth 29m. No scour. Length 118m, beam 38m, height 14.5m. Lying E/W with east end partially buried, superstructure collapsed at east end, but high point at west end. Masts apparently intact. (1)
Two portholes, 2 shell cases, a bell and lead sounding weight were reported from this wreck, position 50 40.10N 000 08.48E. (Droit A/157) (9)
A builder's plate 21" x 15" inscribed "Short Brothers, Sunderland, 1897" recovered from this wreck, position 50 40.22N 000 05.54E. (Droit A/971) (9)
A handrail recovered from this wreck off Newhaven. (Droit A/2504) (9)
A porthole recovered from this wreck. (Droit A/3738) (9)
Obstruction in 50 40.183N 000 05.633E, listed in Kingfisher Charts Obstruction Book General KE 150-1A Beachy Head. (11)
An engine room telegraph recovered from the wreck of the T R THOMPSON in 50 40 10N, 00 05 38E. The telegraph was in very poor condition. There was no glass in place, and the outer housing was disintergrating. (Droit 240/03) (12)
06-AUG-1996: Ship's bell recovered by divers in 1994.
28-JUL-1999: High point at the stern. Superstructure collapsed. The wreck stands 14m proud. Big break amidships, with gun fallen in to wreckage. Shellcases nearby. Sand encroaching.
16-JUL-2015: Examined in 5040.205N, 0005.501E [WGD]. The least multibeam depth is 17.9m in a general depth of 26.7m. No scour. Length 125m. Height 8.8m. Width 25m. A Largely intact wreck, lying on its side. Strong magnetic anomaly. (13)(14)
Charted by the UKHO as 'T R THOMPSON' in 50 40.205N, 000 05.501E (WGS84). (13)(14)
Wreck event and documentary evidence:
The T R THOMPSON was torpedoed and sunk by German submarine UB57, 1918. (1)(8)
32 crew drowned and the master. Carrying 5600 tons of iron ore. (3)
Built: 1897
Propulsion: Screw driven, 3 cylinder triple expansion engine
Builder: Short Bros.
Where built: Sunderland
HP: 301
Armament: 1 x 12pdr. 12cwt.4.7 inch gun on stern
Hull construction: 1 deck; deep framing; 3 deck rule
Owner: J Westoll, Westoll Line
Master: R Eggleston; T S Knill
Crew: 36
Crew Lost: 33 (including her master)
Date of loss qualifier: Actual date of loss
Additional sources :
PRO.Kew, ADM.137/2964;
Sussex Shipwrecks, Salisbury p50-1(photos);
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