This magnificent example of British engineering sits upright on the seabed on an almost perfectly even keel. The Bows are at 39m and the starboard anchor is deployed with the chain running down to the seabed at 50m and out of sight. The port anchor is fully retracted. The railings are largely still in place as are many accommodation blocks, winches, hawsers and other paraphernalia.

Almost eerily somehow, everything still appears to be tidy – clearly the Captain had run a tight ship. The cargo hatches have gone – revealing a full cargo of coal still in place. Pots and pans still hang in the Galley where they are now concreted to the walls above a large stove. Although the wooden decks have rotted away, each and every porthole is still in place – and not a single broken glass to be found.

You will understand, therefore, the high level of expectation as we finally approached the Bridge – but when we got there the cupboard was bare! The Bell, Telegraphs, Compass and Binnacle are gone – even the Captain’s safe lay forced open on the floor. Doubtless somebody will tell me, yet again, that these items were removed for important reasons of research and identification – but surely we can all read what is written on a Bell!

Elsewhere, the funnel is still standing – with the slightest list to port, the rear mast is also intact, all lifeboats davits are swung out and at 35m the steering gear at the stern is available for inspection. Below the stern, the rudder is at 45m and hard over to starboard. Curiously, one of the four propeller blades is missing. There is external damage on both sides – being slightly more extensive to starboard. None of the cargo of coal has spilled out.

The vessel is away from the regular Diving routes and does not enjoy the high levels of underwater visibility one expects from the Red Sea. That said, corals are growing on the decks and the fish life can only be described as prolific. This is a wreck where only the largest Grouper are found and, first thing in the morning Jacks and Tuna are seen feeding.

Identification was made possible by the Maker’s plate found within the engine room. Also made of brass – it was felt that it too was destined to disappear so it has been hidden deep within the wreck to serve as a permanent proof of her identity.