Diving The Wreck

The wreck of the Imperatrix is a relatively easy dive; the maximum depth being about 10 metres and the average about 7 metres. However, although very close to the shore, the wreck is not accessible by land and can only be reached by boat and then only when the prevailing Westerly winds are absent. Even when the site has been reached, the vagaries of the local winds are such that it is absolutely imperative that the dive boat be manned at all times whist divers are down.

(The following description is based on the assumption that the stern is to the immediate north of the rocks furthest from the mainland.)

The site is roughly divided into three areas, each delineated by a series of rocky outcrops that run parallel to the mainland and at right angles to the Western side of Laphonissi. The first, Southern, outcrop lies at a maximum depth of 6 metres, the top of the rocks breaking the surface of the water.

The first portion of the wreck appears to be part of the port outer side and lies on a sandy bottom immediately North of the first rock formation at a depth of 5 metres. This part consists of a series of ribs running East to West amongst which can be clearly seen two port holes, both still with their glass intact and both still fastened. A large riveted plate is prominent in the North east corner and scattered debris lie all around. This portion ends just south of the second rock outcrop, and runs E-W at 4.3 metres.

The second, much larger, portion of the vessel lies approximately 20 metres North of the second rock outcrop at a depth of 6.7metres. This part of the wreck can be seen as two distinct sections. The first consists of 19 curved "T" section ribs joined by a central connecting steel rib. These eventually join to the second distinct feature, a large rectangular box section with a flat top plate.

At the North Eastern edge of the box section what appears to be a large man made, bent plate turns out on inspection to be the remains of the top plate of the box, curved over a large rock. What appear to be the inner supports of the box section, the top plate being absent, extend to the North and end abruptly in a broken debris field before the third rock outcrop at approx, 9 metres.

Box Section (Photograph Aris Speggos)

North East Corner of Wreck (Photograph Aris Speggos)

Scattered around the South East corner of this part of the wreck are approximately 20 coils, each approx 700cm in diameter, of large diameter wire or piping; the state of concretion making it difficult to determine exactly what they are. The final area of the wreck is that North of the third rock formation. That to the immediate North consists of a very broken debris field making it difficult to determine any definite features. North East of the rocks amongst light debris are further coils of wire/small diameter pipe.

To the North West of the rocks is the largest concentration of wreckage in this area and includes what appear to be a highly concreted davit and a number of flat steel plates.

The Cargo