Diving in Crimea - update

nmanfield · 24th September 2006, 15:36

Further to my report about diving in Crimea. This was written by Alex with whom I was diving and who is about to take his Inspo MOD1 (good Luck mate). This was the wreck that the weather and dodgy boat handling skills conspired to keep us off. Could have been me and Alex getting it but I'm not bitter as it was with Dima that we were diving on the 'Rumb' and you'll not meet a nicer guy.

Saying that, there are plenty more wrecks down there. Hopefully Alex and I can sort out an expedition in September next year to dive known but undived wrecks in the 70 -130m range so if you're interested please pm me

Thanks again Alex - nice job

Balaclava's sailing ship identified!
The sailing ship off Balaclava (Black Sea, Crimea), which we dived a year ago, is finally identified. Found 3 years ago, she is sitting upright at 84 meters just a couple of miles from the harbour. It was beleived that she was British and sunk during the Crimean War, however no proof could be found. And now, after three years and quite a few dives, Ukrainian divers Dmitri Shapovalov, Andrei Bykov and some others (sorry guys, don't know all the names) fond the bell. In fact, its quite a detective story. It looked like a rest of a broken mast not far from the bow completely covered with mussles(actually, it is the third mast, which is strange for such a small ship, and only two masts can be found on the bottom near her). Anyway, Dmitri became suspicious and started scratching, and thats what it appeared to be.

Photos courtesy of Andrei Bykov

This how the bell looks after some big cleaning work. The whole construction is solid bronze.

So, her name is "Agnes Blaikie". There are also letters ABN behind the name.

It would be extremely intersting to find some infomation about this ship. Does anyone know whether this might be possible, and how? Please help!

Mixaddict · 24th September 2006, 16:18

Congratulations on the identification. Fantastic photos! Keep up the good work.

Alex · 24th September 2006, 18:58

Thanks Nick

An easy Googe search gives the following:

Aberdeen Line/Aberdeen and Commonwelth Lines

Agnes Blaikie, built in 1841, in 1849 sold to W. Jenkins & Co, Swansea. 381 tonn

This is compatible with the abbr. ABD on the bell, and the size of the ship. So that's probably her. She was definitely not a Royal Navy ship- what was she doing in Balaclava?

Many intersting stories hidden in the Black Sea- for instance, misterious Black Prince who sunk with the salary for the whole Crimean War fleet....

Alex

v_alexey · 18th August 2008, 08:16

Some video in\outside this wreck ftp://ftp.icm.ru/agnes.wmv -44mb.

and new wreck ftp://ftp.icm.ru/makkavey.wmv - 24mb

24th September 2006, 15:36	#1 (permalink)
nmanfield Megalegalegalegadingdong! Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: May 2005 Location: Odessa, Ukraine Posts: 329	Diving in Crimea - update Further to my report about diving in Crimea. This was written by Alex with whom I was diving and who is about to take his Inspo MOD1 (good Luck mate). This was the wreck that the weather and dodgy boat handling skills conspired to keep us off. Could have been me and Alex getting it but I'm not bitter as it was with Dima that we were diving on the 'Rumb' and you'll not meet a nicer guy. Saying that, there are plenty more wrecks down there. Hopefully Alex and I can sort out an expedition in September next year to dive known but undived wrecks in the 70 -130m range so if you're interested please pm me Thanks again Alex - nice job Balaclava's sailing ship identified! The sailing ship off Balaclava (Black Sea, Crimea), which we dived a year ago, is finally identified. Found 3 years ago, she is sitting upright at 84 meters just a couple of miles from the harbour. It was beleived that she was British and sunk during the Crimean War, however no proof could be found. And now, after three years and quite a few dives, Ukrainian divers Dmitri Shapovalov, Andrei Bykov and some others (sorry guys, don't know all the names) fond the bell. In fact, its quite a detective story. It looked like a rest of a broken mast not far from the bow completely covered with mussles(actually, it is the third mast, which is strange for such a small ship, and only two masts can be found on the bottom near her). Anyway, Dmitri became suspicious and started scratching, and thats what it appeared to be. Photos courtesy of Andrei Bykov This how the bell looks after some big cleaning work. The whole construction is solid bronze. So, her name is "Agnes Blaikie". There are also letters ABN behind the name. It would be extremely intersting to find some infomation about this ship. Does anyone know whether this might be possible, and how? Please help! __________________ Tub 'O Lard
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24th September 2006, 16:18	#2 (permalink)
Mixaddict Always Learning! Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Evolution Other CCR Dolphin Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other CCR Dolphin Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Draper, Utah USA Posts: 474	Re: Diving in Crimea - update Congratulations on the identification. Fantastic photos! Keep up the good work. __________________ Randy Thornton (MixAddict) Inspiration, Evolution,Hammerhead & Sentinel CCR Instructor
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24th September 2006, 18:58	#3 (permalink)
Alex New Member Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: May 2006 Location: Nottingham Posts: 7	Re: Diving in Crimea - update Thanks Nick An easy Googe search gives the following: Aberdeen Line/Aberdeen and Commonwelth Lines Agnes Blaikie, built in 1841, in 1849 sold to W. Jenkins & Co, Swansea. 381 tonn This is compatible with the abbr. ABD on the bell, and the size of the ship. So that's probably her. She was definitely not a Royal Navy ship- what was she doing in Balaclava? Many intersting stories hidden in the Black Sea- for instance, misterious Black Prince who sunk with the salary for the whole Crimean War fleet.... Alex
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18th August 2008, 08:16	#4 (permalink)
v_alexey New Member Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Volgograd, Russia Posts: 8	Re: Diving in Crimea - update Some video in\outside this wreck ftp://ftp.icm.ru/agnes.wmv -44mb. and new wreck ftp://ftp.icm.ru/makkavey.wmv - 24mb __________________ Best regards. Alexey
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