SL/W/COLO/M/07

One of the two World War 1 wrecks in Sri Lanka (The other is the SS Perseus off Modara). Both were victims of sea mines left by the epic Germain Commerce Raider SMS Wolf during World War 1. 

The SS Worcestershire struck sea mines on the 17th of February 1917 and sank with the loss of two lives.

It lies on seabed about 57-60m deep. The wreck has settled into the seabed and only the hull remains. Any structures onboard have collapsed, including the bridge and the masts. The wreck is about 137m long and 17m wide at beam. At midships the massive Quadruple Expansion steam engines can be found. Further on towards stern, there is a massive crack in the wreck. This is believed to have happened during sinking as the front of the ship hit sea mines first and then sank, raising the stern and causing the ship to break, before it sank. At the stern a steering quadrant can be found (extending up to 45m of depth). At the sea bed the the two screw propellers and the massive rudder, aroudn 3m high can be seen.

The wreck is very high value as a fish aggregation point and is a popular fishing spot for line fishermen during night time. Schools of Chevron Barracuda, Big-Eye Trevally and on occassion massive Giant Trevally can be seen hunting in the depths.

The bell of the ship, confirming the identity of the wreck, was recovered in March 2014 and has been handed over to the Maritime Archaeological Unit - CCF, Galle