WWI shipwreck Arcadian discovered off Sifnos

·

The British ocean liner Arcadian, torpedoed by a German U-boat and sunk during World War I, has been discovered by researcher Kostas Thoktaridis and his team, ekathimerini.com has reported.

The wreck was found southeast of the Cycladic island of Sifnos at a depth of 163 meters. The Arcadian, which went down taking 279 men with it, was en route from Thessaloniki to Alexandria, Egypt, with 1,155 military personnel on board. The presence of an enemy submarine near Ikaria necessitated a detour through the Cyclades to avoid detection.

Kostas Thoctarides diving with his daughter Agapi-Oceanis. Photo: Supplied.

On April 15, 1917, the Arcadian was traveling at 13.5 knots, accompanied by the escort ship HMS Sentinel. The convoy was situated between Sifnos, Antiparos, Sikinos, and Folegandros when a torpedo fired by the German submarine UC-74 struck the Arcadian at 5:44 p.m., causing a devastating explosion.

“The quality of the primary metals used in the Arcadian’s construction has significantly contributed to the preservation of the wreck,” Thoktaridis told the Athens-Macedonian News Agency (AMNA). “It seems that the bow of the Arcadian initially settled on the Aegean seabed, resulting in visible deformations of the plates. Given the ship’s length (152.4 meters) and the relatively shallow depth of the sea (163 meters), the bow’s impact helped to stabilize the hull on the seafloor,” he added.

Source: ekathimerini.com

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Spurs sack Ange Postecoglou despite Europa League glory

Tottenham Hotspur have confirmed that Ange Postecoglou will not continue as manager next season, despite ending the club’s 17-year trophy drought with a Europa...

Meet TIFFANY: The Greek Australian artist making waves in RnB

Are you looking for your new favourite Greek artist who combines unique sounds of RnB, house and EDM music?

Heirs of a Greek inheritance: Most common problems to deal with

There are many people of Greek descent all over the world whose parents or other close relatives had properties in Greece.

Niki Louca shares her family favourite Indokaridopita (coconut cake) recipe

It is a cake her aunty Panayiota used to make often in years gone by, and one she hasn’t had for a long time.

Naz Vardar to give Melbourne seminar on shaping Vlach identity

The focus lies on the story of a Vlach priest navigating his way within the local Vlach community in Manastir (Bitola).

You May Also Like

The life of Alexandros Panagoulis: Pro-democracy politician and poet

Alexandros Panagoulis is known for his resistance against the Greek junta, including his failed attempt to assassinate Greece's dictator.

Modern Greek the focus as Pharos Alliance members hold meeting at Parliament House

Pharos Alliance representatives met with Victorian Minister for Education and officials from respective departments, at Parliament House. 

Widow of Alexei Navalny to receive 2024 Athenagoras Human Rights Award

Yulia Navalnaya, widow of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, will receive the 2024 Athenagoras Human Rights Award.