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Above ... Diver alongside the triple expansion engine. To the left can be seen the curve of the port side boiler (Sam Lister)

SS DIANOMAN ??

POSITION ... 52 57 715 N / 001 38 255 E

Depth ... 20mtrs

ALL IMAGES COURTESY OF SAM LISTER



The site listed at the position 52 57 715 N / 001 38 255 E is known locally as the Dianoman. The UKHO have the site listed as an unknown, ie identity unknown. To date (2024) research has not found any such vessel listed and in turn no recorded loss of such a named vessel lost in the area.  Despite seeking local knowledge no information has been gained as to how the name Dianoman became attributed to the site. Research ongoing.

Below ... A brief description of the site (2024)

The site is in the region of 80-90mtrs in length, mid engined and shows all the signs of having been dispersed. This being said all the machinery and boilers are intact. The engine is of a inline three cylinder triple expansion design and stands about 18 feet in height approx. There are 3 boilers on the site, two of these are the main boilers, these being single ended fire tube drum type. Each of these is fitted with three furnaces. In addition there is a smaller boiler, this being a single ended fire tube drum type horizontal donkey boiler, this being fitted with two furnaces. Due to dispersal the starboard boiler is now up ended and is located about twenty five feet away from the port boiler. At the rear of the engine can be seen the thrust block, complete with bearings and pads. Of note, the thrust block is the large box that sits just behind the engine with the prop shaft running through it, this being bolted / fixed to the hull floor / frames. The purpose of the thrust block is to dampen and absorb the forces / vibration of the rotating prop shaft. In turn the forces are transmitted in to the hull allowing for smoother running of the propulsion system. Following the prop shaft from the engine you will come to the stern, this being of a counter stern design. Surprisingly the stern is still very much intact and has about a 30 degree list to port. The prop is still in situe and is somewhere in the region of thirteen feet in diameter. The rudder post can be seen just behind the prop. The pintles that would have attached the rudder to the post have rotted away and the rudder now lies buried beneath the sand. Forward of the engine / boilers and heading towards the bow can be seen the usual frames, plates, winches and so on, this in turn being as with the engine to stern. The bow itself, though quite broken, the remains stand about twelve feet in height. Here can be seen one of the hawse holes with the anchor chain running vertically  into the seabed. Only about five links can be seen, so I should imagine the anchor is now below buried in the sand.

Below ... Diver approaching the stern. (Sam Lister)

Below ... Rudder post and prop (Sam Lister)

Below ... Looking up at the triple expansion engine. (Sam Lister)

Below ... Diver alongside the triple expansion engine. (Sam Lister)

Below ... Rudder post and prop from a different angle (Sam Lister)

Below ... Wreckage (Sam Lister)