In 1956 Jacques Cousteau, with his mythical oceanographic ship Calypso, discovered the wreck of the Thistlegorm on the outer wall of the immense reef known as Sha'ab Ali, off the western coast of Sinai. This was a British transport ship built in1940 by Thomson & Sons that was lying at anchor early in the Second World War when it was attacked by a squandron of German bombers from Crete. The Thistlegorm had come from Cape Town loaded with material for the British troops in North Africa (munitions, hand grenades, anti-tank mines, Lee Enfield MK III rifles, BSA motorcycles, Morris automobiles, Bedford trucks, two light MK II Bren Carrier tanks, two locomotives, two railway freight cars, two tank cars, spare parts, medicines, tires and rubber boots) and was hit by two bombs; it sank for 30 meters in an upright position onto the flat and sandy floor.
Cousteau found a ship which, despite the fire that had resulted from the bombing, was virtually intact, as was its cargo. He documented his discovery in some scenes in one of his memorable documentary films so that the public at large would become acquainted with this extraordinary wreck, which is considered the most interesting in the Red Sea and has become a great favourite with scuba divers from all over the world.
Facts about Thistlegorm - Sha'ab Ali
It is in Egypt- Thistlegorm - Sha'ab Ali is in the Red Sea.
- The typical visibility is 30+ Metres 100+ Feet.