Maritime record MWX2390 - Abel Tasman

Vessel was part of the Operation 'Dynamo' Dunkirk evacuation fleet. It was mined and sank in Swash Channel after leaving Poole harbour with an all naval crew on board (3) in 13 June 1940 and sank in position 50 40 15N, 01 55 52W with the loss of all on board. The wreck was raised in June 1945 and dumped in Studland Bay alongside HMS Sona by the Admiralty salvage service (2).

The wreck remained relatively intact and was visible above the water at all states of the tide in May 1947. By 1953 the wreck had started to be broken up and dispersed (1) and was reported as lying at around 4ft below low water. Smaller pieces of wreck were noted around obstruction within radius of 150 feet (3).

On 17 Feb 1992 nothing was found during intensive echo sounder search. Local divers state that the remains of 2 of the wrecks - believed to be engine blocks - lie within 15m of each other. (1)

Position 50 40.54 N 1 56.09 W taken from (6)
Tonnage gross

Wreck site and archaeological remains:

Horizontal Datum: OGB
Vertical Datum: LAT
Method of Fix: HAS

For details see PRINSES JULIANA [013502384] and HMS SONA [013502372]. (1)

11-DEC-1946: 'ABEL TASMAN' [19039] & 'PRINSES JULIANA' [19038], formerly in 504015N, 015552W & 503957N, 015543W, respectively, later deposited in Studland Bay alongside HMS SONA in 503837N, 015538W by the Admiralty Salvage Service. Area marked by danger line 338 degrees from Old Harry Rock for 3C, 270 degrees for 4C then 108 degrees to the shore.

09-MAY-1947: Three portions of wreckage, in dangerous area, visible at all states of the tide. Positions: 289 degrees, 1.85C; 289 degrees, 1.98C; & 288 degrees 2.58C from Old Harry's Wife. Heights above MHWS 12 feet; 4 feet and 2 feet respectively. Tracing held.

06-AUG-1953: Swept by Croome method in SMLS 324 & 322 on 22-JUN-1953. Clear at 3 feet, foul at 4 feet, in a general depth of 9 feet; Clear at 3 feet, foul at 4 feet, in a general depth of 8 feet; & clear at 2 feet, foul at 3 feet in general depth of 9 feet. Tracings held. Indications from echosounder trace and by sweep wire of smaller pieces of wreckage around ovstruction within redius of 150 feet. A large amount of weed is growing up to 4 feet from the bottom in certain areas.

18-AUG-1954: Swedish bar sweep. After dispersal sweep kept adjusted to within 3 feet of the bottom. It is considered that there are no obstructions above this level. General depth of seabed 7-12 feet. The seabed is comprised of sand and rock. Tracings held.

15-MAY-1969: Reported to have been blown, or some time ago spread over large area. Difficult to dive upon due to tide, wind and rough seas in the area.

28-OCT-1977: Not located.

17-DEC-1992: Nothing found during intensive echosounder search. Local diVers state remains of two of the wrecks, believed to be the engine blocks, lie within 15m of each other in 503833N, 015520.5W [+/-20m].

28-MAR-2012: Examined in 5038.619N, 0155.592W [WGD]. The least multibeam depth was 3.7m. A pile of debris with length 11m, width 4m, height 0.4m. Possible debris? (4)(5)

Charted by the UKHO as 'ABEL TASMAN (PART OF)(POSSIBLY)' in 50 38.619N, 001 55.592W (WGS84). (4)(5)

'The wreck of the ABEL TASMAN lies with that of the PRINSES JULIANA, though it is difficult to determine which is which. The wreckage lies in about 6m of water on the edge of the Swash Channel on the Hook Sands. Apart from at least one oil engine, a boiler is also present as well as the wooden ribs of a ship's hull. Like the PRINSES JULIANA, much of the upperworks was removed in 1945 and dumped at the Yards, Handfast Point.' (6)

Wreck event and documentary evidence:

Mined in Poole Swash Channel after leaving Poole. Raised in June '45 and dumped in Studland Bay. (1)

The ABEL TASMAN was heading in to Poole along the Swash Channel, one of a line of ships, four of which preceeded her. How the other ships avoided disaster is not known exactly, but a mine exploded beneath ABEL TASMAN with a tremendous roar. The ship disappeared amid a welter of water, sand and spray, taking her entire complement of 11 Naval Reservists with her.' (6)

Built: 1937 (6)
Builder: Sanders Brothers (6)
Where built: Delfzijl (6)
Machinery: Appingedammer Brons, Motorenfb, Appingedammer (6)
Propulsion: 4 cycle single acting oil engine (6)
NHP: 220 (6)
Owner: J Bonninga (6)
Crew: 11 (6)
Crew lost: 11 (6)

Date of loss qualifier: Actual date of loss

<1> United Kingdom Hydrographic Office, 1992, Hydrographic Office wreck index (Index). SWX4837.

<2> 1989, Lloyds war losses: the Second World War 3 September-14 August 1945, p83 (Index). SWX4997.

<3> Larn, R, and Larn, B, 1995, Shipwreck index of the British Isles, volume 1 : Isles of Scilly, Cornwall, Devon, Dorset Section 6, Dorset (AJ) Vol 1 (Monograph). SWX4541.

<4> SeaZone Hydrospatial, Digital marine geographic information derived from SeaZone Hydrospatial (Digital archive). SDO20540.

<5> United Kingdom Hydrographic Office, Wreck report, 19039 (Monograph). SDO20514.

<6> Wendes, D, 2006, South Coast Shipwrecks off East Dorset & Wight 1870 - 1979 (Monograph). SDO10496.

<7> Le Pard, G, 1995-2003, Dorset Coast Forum Maritime Archaeological Database, Shipwreck 144 (Digital archive). SWX8707.

<8> Cumming, E, The Dorset shipwreck and maritime incident directory, 3 (Monograph). SDO16406.

<9> National Record of the Historic Environment, 904670 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Apr 6 2024 1:58PM