Beacon Rock (Dunraven Wreck)

Beacon Rock is located on the south side of the Ras Muhammad Peninsula and is within the boundaries of Ras Muhammad National Park. In this area is the wreck of the Dunraven, which was a steam freighter from the first part of the century. It is thought to have been a spy ship for  T.E. Lawrence, better known as Lawrence of Arabia. Beacon Rock itself is a jetty off of the Ras Muhammad Peninsula in the Gulf of Suez. There is a wall that you will swim down to the wreck.
The return is the same way. The dive will probably be canceled or stopped if the current is strong.
The typical depth range of Beacon Rock is 90 to 130 feet and is best accessed by boat dive or local guide. The expertise required for this area is advanced to a dive master or instructor

The Dunraven  

Built at the Mitchell yard in Newcastle in 1873, the 270 foot steam and sail driven cargo vessel was used to carry spices, timber and cotton form Bombay to Newcastle. She was once thought to be a vessel used by Lawrence of Arabia. In March 1876, she was sailing north towards Suez when she struck the southern reaches of the extensive reef system of Sha’ab Mahmoud, at a point now known as Beacon Rock. There are conflicting reports as to what happened next. When the wreck was discovered her portholes were found to be open, and this has lead to the theory that she broke in tow and sank quickly. The second report tells how she held fast on the reef for several days, then caught fire and capsized, sliding down the reef to where she lies today.

Whatever happened the wreck now rests on a flat seabed of 30 meters, her keel up most and lying along the base of the reef. Although completely upside down it is possible to enter the wreck at the stern, after viewing her distinctive and colorful prop and rudder. Once inside the huge cathedral like hull allows for a safe exploration forward towards the crack in the hull. There are several large groupers, moray eels, and the predatory lion fish, which engulf the wreck.
It is possible to swim through the boiler and engine room area, where a large shoal of glass fish hover above. The bow section is adorned with soft corals and reef fish abound. Her masts and crows nest lie on the seabed off her starboard side, and the hull exterior is covered in hard corals.
It is possible to dive the wreck in one go, and it is best to start the tour as described in the text, ending up on the sloping reef behind, allowing for a slow curved profile back to the surface. Strong currents often prevail over the wreck, so good boat cover and safety sausages are advisable.  Today, her engine may be seen in London’s Science Museum.

DUNRAVEN  -  Beacon Rock    (Sha’b Mahmoud)

History

A merchantman registered the Dunraven in Newcastle - upon - tyne, on route for India. It was carrying cotton and wool. She was only a couple of years old when she ran aground on Beacon Rock in 1876. Seven years later the Suez canal was opened.
The stories say that the Dunraven was stuck fast for 2 - 3 days. For some reason she suddenly caught fir and rolled over on to her port side and slid down this steep sided reef to rest in 22 - 30 m of water. She lies at an angle out from the reef wall. There is still a path of scrapped reef where the ship slipped.
Archaeologist Ayre Keller was the first to make known the existence of the wreck. He picket up her signals on an oil sounding expedition. He told Howard Rosenstein, owner of a dive shop in Sinai.
A salvage team found many artefacts, mugs, plates, ginger beer, hamilton bottles with the name „Webbs Double Soda from Islington“, sealed jars of gooseberries, rhubard, olives, unguents and salves. The bathroom was tiled in blue Delft, with scenes from the Netherlands.
When nothing was found of great value the ship was filled with sand and sediment from the excavations to prevent further searches and to halt deterioration.

The Wreck Today

The Wreck has become a home for marine life. At mid ship the hull is split and you can find thousands of glass fish. It is possible to swim all the way through the wreck with easy.

The Reef

At the top of the reef it is mainly stoney coral types, but towards the wreck there are large sea fans. There are plenty of other smaller fish too and chances to see larger marine creatures.