Wreck Dive, SS Margit, Kalkara Creek, Malta
History of the SS Margit
The SS Margit was a Panamanian steam passenger ship, built in 1912, and originally called "Theodore Mante". Over the next twenty seven years her name was changed several times, until in 1939 she was re-named Margit.
She arrived in Malta on 17th April 1939, and whilst waiting for a crew, war broke out. She remained in Valetta harbour, crewless, for the next two years. On 19th April 1941, she was hit during an air raid, caught fire, listed to port, and sank. Her two masts and funnel remained partially sticking out of the water.
Due to her size and location at the entrance to Kalkara creek, the wreckage was blocking use of the harbour. So in 1943, the two masts and her funnel were destroyed by explosives, allowing the berth to be used during the upcoming invasion of Sicily.
The Wreck
At 105.5 metres long and 13.7 metres wide, she makes a rather impressive sight as one of the largest wrecks in Malta. She lies parallel to shore at the entrance to Kalkara Creek, with a maximum depth of 22 metres. The highest points of the wreck are around 17 metres.
The Margit is largely broken into pieces, due to the initial air raid bombing, the fires, and the subsequent explosions used to clear the harbour, giving her an eerie and atmospheric feel.
Unfortunately due to the silty bottom composition and boat traffic, visibility can be very poor. Despite this, the history and points of interest make it one of our favourite wreck sites in Malta - every few metres some new features come into view! It's also one of the few WWII wrecks within the Advanced Open Water (30m) depth range.
Points of Interest
There are many interesting features in and around the wreckage of the Margit. The huge mooring chains somehow became draped across parts of the wreck, making an impressive sight. Parts of the engine room are clearly visible, as well as the propellor shaft, gangway and supports.
Conger and Moray eels can be found hiding within the wreck, and various nudibranchs (Flabellina affinis and Aeolid) are common. A torch is strongly recommended to bring out the best features of this dive.
Experience Needed
Minimum PADI Advanced Open Water (or equivalent) certification. Although the top of the wreck is around 17 metres, due to the poor visibility, the wreck is not visible from a distance, so it is mandatory to be able to reach 20-22 metres. As such, an Open Water qualification is not sufficient. As the wreck is large, we would also recommend being a Nitrox Diver to extend your bottom time.
DIVE SITE SPECIFICATION: HMS Hellespont
- Location: Valletta, Malta
- Type Of Dive: Shore Dive
- Max Depth: 22m
- Minimum Certification: Advanced Open Water Diver
- Recommended: Enriched Air Diver
