Baku Standard
26 April 2010
In fine topside conditions, yesterday we managed to dive the wreck of the tanker Baku Standard which was torpedoed in 1917, 5 miles off the north-east coast of Scotland. The ship was built in 1893 and looks very Victorian and different to modern day tankers - a sleek, shallow draught 330 foot long tanker designed for going up the rivers of South America. Her wreck now lies in 6o metres of water sitting perfectly upright.
Being a tanker she was very strongly built so despite her grand age, her hull remains in good condition barring the gaping torpedo hole in her side. Our shot went in at the stern and we were able to do the grand tour in 4m black as the ace of spades visibility.
The plankton bloom is starting in the shallows - thick with life. The water is still a cold 6-7 degrees so it was a chilly 40 minute deco hang before we could exit the water.
2 comments
Written by Barbara Murphy (nee Howard) on 28 April 2010 at 13:42:00
I have just found out that both my great Uncle and my grandfather where on the SS Baku Standard when it was torpedoed. My great uncle Joseph Ferguson could not swim and as a result drowned, however my grandfather George Howard survived and did one more trip at sea in the Lily Kane where he contacted Pneumonia and died and is interred at Turlington cemetery boulogne France.I am desperate to both confirm whether the cemetery is correct as on the war memorial site he doesnt show up and although I know his date of death was 08,03 1919 I cant find out how or where to obtain a death certificate, is there anyone reading this that may be able to help.Both my grandfather and great uncle were marine firemen and my grandfather was corporal 8033 George Howard 4th kings regiment.
Written by Jean Power on 22 October 2011 at 16:31:00
My Grand Uncle was killed when the ss Baku Standard was attacked in l9l8. His name was John Harrold. Those who died are remembered on the memorial at Tower Hill in London. He was a seaman and aged 31.