SL/E/KAYA/M/12

This shipwreck is positioned at a maximum depth of 17m, about one kilometer off the Point Kayankerni, an area which is about 35km north from Batticaloa towards Trincomalee. Constructed by Caledon Shipbuilding & Engineering Co Ltd. in Dundee (Scotland), SS Lady McCullum was owned by the Ceylon Steamship Company from 1908. Upon the remains at the wreck site, this iron vessel was 71m (230ft) and 13.8m (45ft 3in) in length and breadth respectively, and was powered by two boilers along with two propellers.

Upon striking at a reef in rough seas, SS Lady McCullum was sunk on the 1^st of January 1926, during her voyage from Trincomalee to Kalkudah. Four (04) casualties were recorded and the wreck was badly broken up and scattered. However, the bow (front) and stern (rear) sections of the vessel can be identified. In addition, a propeller and its propeller shaft, two boilers and three iron anchors can be observed at the wreck site, with one anchor at the front (bow) and the remaining two at the center and the rear (stern) of the ship.

SS Lady McCallum was one of the many 'Lady Ships' (i.e. Lady Havelock, Lady Blake and Lady Gordon) which belonged to the Ceylon Steamship Company (C.S.S Co Ltd). Although the visibility at this site is not very pleasing, the wreck is a popular dive site among the SCUBA divers, who dive the SS British Sergeant in the vicinity and then dive the Lady McCallum as their second dive.

On the 1st of January 1926, in rough seas, she sank just off Pulavi point in the Thennadi Bay, with a loss of about 4 lives. She lies on seabed 17m deep, close to a rubble reef.

The wreck is intact, however badly broken up and possibly partially salvaged. For example, the propeller blades are missing. 

Other Information:

Date Built: dd/mm/1908

Builder: Caledon Shipbuilding & Engineering Co Ltd. Dundee

Owner: Ceylon Steamship Company

Engine: 2 x 3 cyl. triple expansion steam engines, dual shaft, 2 screws