107-Year-Old Maritime Mystery Solved in North Sea Wind Farm Survey

A 107-year-old maritime mystery solved during a sonar survey of MarramWind offshore wind farm in the North Sea.

The wreck of SS Tobol, a Russian merchant vessel torpedoed during WWI, was found by Fugro Galaxy during seabed surveys.

Built in Sunderland, the SS Tobol was initially operated as SS Cheltenham by a British company before being captured by Russia.

Renamed SS Tobol, the ship was torpedoed by a German U-boat in 1917 while sailing from Blyth to Arkhangelsk.

The wreck measures 100 meters long, 22.5 meters wide, and 10.5 meters high and was found in remarkably good condition.

A 250-meter exclusion zone was created around the wreck to protect it during the MarramWind wind farm development.

Authorities, including Historic Environment Scotland and the UK Hydrographic Office, were informed to ensure its preservation.

The exact location of SS Tobol had been unknown for over a century, making this a significant find.

The discovery of SS Tobol not only solves a historical mystery but also brings potential closure to the families of its lost crew members.