Discover the history behind the ‘SS Polynesian’ ship that was sunk in Malta during World War I
The Maltese islands are without a doubt home to one incredible dive site after another, but the ‘SS Polynesian’ site is perhaps one of the country's most underrated scuba diving gems.
The ‘SS Polynesian’ was built all the way back in 1890 by the French Company ‘Messageries Maritimes’, and was largely used as a luxury high seas vessel to carry passengers down the France to Australia route.
But this all changed when World War I broke out. It had to undergo a complete makeover and was now equipped with bow and stern guns to serve as an armed troopship.
The sinking of - SS LE' POLYNÉSIEN 1918 Once considered “Malta’s best kept secret” in the international wreck diving...
Posted by John C Navarro on Thursday, 27 April 2023
The ship was mainly being used to transport troops to and from New Caledonia and Indochina while also operating in the Mediterranean.
Just three months before the war ended, the ‘SS Polynesian’ was commissioned to transport Serbian Troops from Bizerte in Tunisia to Thessaloniki in Greece.
Late in the evening of the 9th August 1918, the St. Thomas’ Bay hydrophone listening station in Malta sent an urgent message to the Naval Headquarters reporting that suspicious engine sounds and noises that sounded like an enemy submarine were heard.
However, such warnings were unfortunately ignored.
Fast forward to the morning of the 10th August 1918, a convoy of ships were approaching Malta, one of them being the ‘SS Polynesian’.
The ship received an order from the Grand Harbour to make way to dock to Marsaxlokk instead as the harbour was too busy.
As it was about to make its way to Marsaxlokk, the ship was hit by a huge explosion from the submarine that was reported the previous evening.
Those aboard soon started their efforts to abandon the ship in the hopes of surviving. The ship started sinking fast and was pretty much under water in less than half an hour.
However, most passengers aboard made it off safely and were taken to land where they recovered at the Cottonera Hospital. Nonetheless, 17 lives were still lost including that of the butler, a corporal, five drivers, four stokers and six other passengers.
The wreck now lies about 3km east of the Marsaskala coast, and has become a popular destination for scuba diving enthusiasts.
The ship is over 150 metres long, and was often referred to as ‘the little Titanic’, making this one of Malta’s most exciting diving experiences.
Have you ever seen this underwater beauty?