Depending on the tide, it is a fairly constant 25-27m to the seabed and 18-20m to the upper (starboard) side throughout the dive. The wooden superstructure and planking have all long-since rotted away - though many fragments of planking are still found attached to the iron framework. This leaves a steel hull held together by iron cross-members and, with the decking gone, this allows the Diver to explore both the external features and two deck levels within the wreck itself.
At the Bows there is a large copper ring that once held the bowsprit in place and just in front of this is the ship's leading curved metal bowsprit support - underneath which was once found the figurehead. Swimming slightly away from the Bows and looking back, it is easy to see the Carnatic's fine, sleek lines - even today.
From the Bows, the ship gently widens to the main body where, on both sides, lifeboat davits are found - still swung out. These are, however, usually missed by Divers because the preferred route from stem to stern is to enter the vessel and swim between the first two levels of iron framework - a fascinating close-encounter with something built in 1862! We even found a small brass porthole, though I must confess that I covered it with debris so that it would remain in situ for a little while longer - all the others having been removed.
Emerging from this forward section the Diver will then encounter the most severely damaged part of the wreck. Although this is now nothing more than a pile of scrap metal, it does, nevertheless, still provide plenty of scope for exploration and investigation - after all, the "4 cylinder compound inverted engine" is still in there - somewhere.
For many, however, the stern remains the most exciting and interesting part of the entire experience. Within the ship, this section is very similar to the Bows - and once again the Diver is able to swim in between the framework of two deck levels. Deep in the hold I was surprised to find some very old barrels and I could not help but wonder what it was they once contained that has proved to be such a fine "wood preservative" - Brandy? To see the very best aspect of the entire vessel, however, the Diver must come out of the wreck - where, once again, lifeboat davits are found on both sides, and swim right around the stern.
My first reaction on seeing this finely moulded stern, with it's single row of seven square windows, was that it was reminiscent of Nelson's day - and that is not a bad comparison. In many ways it is easy to see how traditional styles - evolved over so many years of building wooden ships, had now been adapted into steel. Below the windows, the gracefully rounded stern curves inwards and down towards a magnificent rudder revealing the one feature that certainly was not found in that previous era - namely, the large three-bladed propeller resting on the sand.
After such a long time underwater, it is fairly safe to assume that the Carnatic is likely to remain pretty much as she is for the foreseeable future. She is well colonised by coral, soft corals and her own indigenous population of Vanikoro Sweepers and is probably one of the finest examples of her time to be found anywhere in the world - and well worth the visit.
Should you do so, however, spare but a thought for those who lost their lives. - 33387
At the Bows there is a large copper ring that once held the bowsprit in place and just in front of this is the ship's leading curved metal bowsprit support - underneath which was once found the figurehead. Swimming slightly away from the Bows and looking back, it is easy to see the Carnatic's fine, sleek lines - even today.
From the Bows, the ship gently widens to the main body where, on both sides, lifeboat davits are found - still swung out. These are, however, usually missed by Divers because the preferred route from stem to stern is to enter the vessel and swim between the first two levels of iron framework - a fascinating close-encounter with something built in 1862! We even found a small brass porthole, though I must confess that I covered it with debris so that it would remain in situ for a little while longer - all the others having been removed.
Emerging from this forward section the Diver will then encounter the most severely damaged part of the wreck. Although this is now nothing more than a pile of scrap metal, it does, nevertheless, still provide plenty of scope for exploration and investigation - after all, the "4 cylinder compound inverted engine" is still in there - somewhere.
For many, however, the stern remains the most exciting and interesting part of the entire experience. Within the ship, this section is very similar to the Bows - and once again the Diver is able to swim in between the framework of two deck levels. Deep in the hold I was surprised to find some very old barrels and I could not help but wonder what it was they once contained that has proved to be such a fine "wood preservative" - Brandy? To see the very best aspect of the entire vessel, however, the Diver must come out of the wreck - where, once again, lifeboat davits are found on both sides, and swim right around the stern.
My first reaction on seeing this finely moulded stern, with it's single row of seven square windows, was that it was reminiscent of Nelson's day - and that is not a bad comparison. In many ways it is easy to see how traditional styles - evolved over so many years of building wooden ships, had now been adapted into steel. Below the windows, the gracefully rounded stern curves inwards and down towards a magnificent rudder revealing the one feature that certainly was not found in that previous era - namely, the large three-bladed propeller resting on the sand.
After such a long time underwater, it is fairly safe to assume that the Carnatic is likely to remain pretty much as she is for the foreseeable future. She is well colonised by coral, soft corals and her own indigenous population of Vanikoro Sweepers and is probably one of the finest examples of her time to be found anywhere in the world - and well worth the visit.
Should you do so, however, spare but a thought for those who lost their lives. - 33387
About the Author:
There are wonderful diving holidays to experience specially when diving in the Maldives. To find out more please go to http://www.divingworld.co.uk/
