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3.4 km south west of Panadura

SL/W/PANA/M/02

Panadura Boiler Wreck 02 (Northeast Wreck) · Nilkete Wreck 02

District
Colombo
Depth
5.00–15.00 m
Vessel type
Iron Hull, Steam Ship, Bulk Carrier

Overview

here are two wrecks in this place known as the "Nilkate Gala wrecks".

It seems like both wrecks may have sunk after running aground on this shallow reef. According to the records one of these ships is known as SS Justitia which sank on 5th February 1885. It was a cargo transport ship built in 1882 and owned by Borrow Steamship Company, transporting a cargo of Indigo and Shellac from Calcutta to London, when it struck the reef. We speculate the wreck on the North East side could be the SS Justitia,  based on the age of the Anchors. 

The wreck debris is scattered in a large area around the Nilkete Rock. The stern of one wreck seems to be at the northeast and the other larger one at the southwest. The one on the northeast may be considerably smaller. 

With further research and investigations, we may able to decide which one is the SS Justitia and to identify the origin of the other wreck. 

Steering Quadrant (Northeast Wreck) 22 Nov 2014 © Dharshana Jayawardena / Ghosts of the Deep - Diving the Shipwrecks of SL
Boilers of the Northeast wreck 18 Feb 2019 © Rasika Muthucumarana
Hull remains scattered on the reef 18 Feb 2019 © Rasika Muthucumarana
Site plan of the Nilkate Northeast wreck 18 Feb 2019 © Maritime Archaeology Unit
Video 18 Feb 2019 © Rasika Muthucumarana

Location

District: Colombo

Province: Western

Depth profile

5–15 m

Protection & status

Access
None
Legal status
None

Marine life at this site

References & publications

  • Jayawadena, D. (2016) Ghosts of the Deep - Diving the shipwrecks of Sri Lanka, Vijitha Yapa Publications, Colombo, pp.120-125.

Record provenance

Recorded
2010-01-20
Last updated
2021-05-24
Biodiversity survey
Incomplete

Data: National Shipwreck Database / CCF–MAU