Maritime record MDO19986 - Prinses Juliana (vessel remains)

PRINSES JULIANA was raised Jun 45 together with ABEL TASMAN and dumped in Studland Bay alongside HMS
SONA. 24-JUN-1940 Stranded in 50 39 56N, 01 55 29W. 23-SEP-1940 Position 50 39 57N, 01 55 43W. 02-OCT-1946
Both wrecks raised and dumped in Studland Bay alongside HMS SONA in 50 38 37N, 01 55 38W. See HMS SONA
[013502372] for later surveying details
Built 1927 (3)
Engine still remains on Hook Sands on side of Swash channel
gross tonnage

Wreck site and archaeological remains:

Horizontal Datum: OGB
Vertical Datum: LAT

24-JUN-1940 Stranded in 50 39 56N, 01 55 29W.
23-SEP-1940 Position 50 39 57N, 01 55 43W.
02-OCT-1946 Both wrecks raised and dumped in Studland Bay alongside HMS SONA in 50 38 37N, 01 55 38W.
See HMS SONA [013502372] for later surveying details. (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 5038.612N, 0155.646W [WGD]. The least multibeam depth was 3.5m. A linear feature with length 3m, width 1m, height 0.15m. Possible debris. (4)(5)

Charted by the UKHO as 'PRINSES JULIANA (PART OF)(POSSIBLY)' in 50 38.612N, 001 55.646W (WGS84). (4)(5)

'The machinery and parts of the lower hull of the PRINSES JULIANA remain on the Hook Sands next to similar wreckage from the ABEL TASMAN. They are very close together and both can be seen quite easily in a single dive. The diesel engine of the PRINSES JULIANA stands 2m or so off the seabed. The wreckage has a thick encrustation of marine organisms. The upper works, after removal were dumped near Handfast Point in a place known as the Yards.' (6)

Wreck event and documentary evidence:

PRINSES JULIANA was raised Jun'45 together with ABEL TASMAN and dumped in Studland Bay alongside HMS SONA. (1)

'The PRINSES JULIANA departed Poole on 12 June and was on her way through the Swash Channel under the watchful eye of her pilot George Brown. Suddenly the ship struck an unseen mine, resulting in a huge explosion. The force was so great that 198 tons ship was blown completely clear of the water, turning over in the process, and landing in such a way that witnesses thought there could be no survivors. Fortunately, she did not sink immediately, and there was just time for Ivor Holloway, following behind in a pilot boat, to dive overboard and rescue George Brown and three Dutch crew. Two other crewmen died. The PRINSES JULIANA settled in the seabed at the side of the Swash Channel on the Hook Sands, and after she was joined the next day by the ABEL TASMAN, the two wrecks were largely dismantled.' (6)

Built: 1929 (6)
Builder: J Vos & Zoon (6)
Where built: Groningen (6)
Propulsion: 4 cycle single acting oil engine (6)
Owner: PJ Balk (6)
Crew: 5 (6)
Crew lost: 2 (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, 19038 (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 143 (Digital archive). SWX8707.

<8> National Record of the Historic Environment, 904669 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Mar 15 2024 3:57PM