A steam ship built in 1893, the Duchess of York was used to transport a variety of goods around the Mediterranean. The ship was lost sometime around 1957, when it struck the reef causing an explosion that caused the ship to sink quickly. At first, the massive steam ship was stuck to the reef; however, it soon sunk to the bottom of the sea. The Duchess of York now lies at depths between 43 and 80 meters, with some debris still visible in the shallows at depths between 15 and 25 meters. Let's take a closer look.
Diving the Duchess
Along the top of the reef you can find several scattered bits of metal debris that have melded with the rocks, coral, and sponges; today you can find the occasional moray eel poking its head out from beneath a piece of debris, and during spring and early summer you may encounter sea turtles resting along the top of the reef. Groups of barracuda hunt here, choosing their prey from the numerous small fish that can be seen everywhere you look.
As you make your way deeper, marveling at the visibility can sometimes reach 40 meters, passing shoals of bream, and met by the occasional grouper, the outline of the massive ship begins to take shape below as you pass through a treasure trail of debris. All around you can see pieces of the wreck, strewn along a plateau at a depth of 20 meters, where the outline of the smaller steamship wreck can be seen; and then along a slope that makes its way to 30 meters, then to 40 meters. Pipes and pieces of plating create an odd juxtaposition with the numerous amphorae which remain from ancient wrecks that struck the reef centuries before the Duchess of York was ever a twinkle in her builder’s eye.
When you reach a depth of 43 meters, you'll be right on top of the wreck, which is lying on its starboard side, bow pointing down, stern up. Rows of portholes can be seen along the hull, and the decks rise up vertically from the seabed. You can see winches still affixed to the main deck, and a number of open cargo hatches offer temptation. Experienced wreck divers on trimix can penetrate this eerie wreck with caution, but even without entering you can see the cargo of coal spilling from the wreck where wooden decking has rotted away. The entire ship is covered with a beautiful mantle of corals and sponges, and countless little fish make their way from one place to another. Larger fish and the occasional turtle can be seen as well. As visibility is so good here most of the time, is possible to see the entire wreck from above. If you do dive all the way down to the tip of the bow, you'll be rewarded by the site of the winding gear and the ship’s massive anchor still bolted into place.
As you return to the surface, pause briefly at the reef top; here, you may be able to see the enormous crack their remains from the fateful day when the Duchess of York struck the reef. Pieces of metal are still wedged beneath the rocks.
You can dive the Duchess of York by arranging a trip with one of the several dive operators running out of Kas or Kalkan. There are a number of other fantastic dive sites in the area, but this wreck is a destination all by itself.