Maritime record FEX 461 - Wreck of the Sheaf Field

REMAINS OF BRITISH MERCHANT STEAMSHIP, 1940
Status: Site

Horizontal Datum: OGB
Vertical Datum: LAT (1)
Method of Fix: HF (1)
Owner: Sheaf Steam Shipping Company (2)
Built: 1923 (2)
Builder: Blyth Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company (2)
Where built: Blyth (2)
Propulsion: Screw driven, 3 cylinder triple expansion engine (2)
Horsepower: 323 (2)
Boilers: 2 (2)
Crew: 26 (2)
Machinery: NE Marine Eng Company Limited, Newcastle (2)
Construction: Cruiser stern; 1 deck; poop deck 21 feet; forecastle 26 feet; 5 bulkheads (2)

Carrying 3800 tons of coal, 1940. (1)

Was beached while on fire in position 058 degree (T), 4.5 miles from Landguard Point where she settled by the stern. (1)

`Struck a German laid mine whilst carrying 3,800 tons of cargo. Was beached on fire, and settled down by the stern on 29.10 approximately 4.5 miles 58 degrees (T) from Landguard Point.' (2)

23-JAN-1941 Stranded wreck in 51 58 41N 001 26 00E. (1)

03-JUL-1942 Identified as the SHEAF FIELD. (1)

03-APR-1959 Swept clear at 15ft, foul at 16ft. Least echosounder
depth 19 in general depth 21feet. (1)

01-AUG-1958 Located in charted position. Least echosounder depth 19ft. (1)

11-MAY-1973 Examined in 51 58 38N 001 26 00E. Estimated height 2 to 3ft above seabed. (1)

20-AUG-1973 Only small metallic objects located. Assumed wreck has totally broken up. Seabed flat with two rocky ridges running NW/SE. (1)

17-OCT-1984 Examined in 51 58 39N 001 26 00E. Wreck is apparently completely broken up in general depth 6.5m. (1)

28-MAR-1991 Dived on. Small pieces of wreckage located some standing about 1m high. (1)