MS Taurus
02 August 2010
We flashed out in our RIB last night to catch the 2000hrs slack water on the wreck of MS Taurus - perhaps one of the most beautiful wrecks on the east coast of Scotland. This 400 foot long cargo liner sits on an even keel in 50metres of water and had a 5 deck high bridge superstructure and a separate Engine Room and officer's accomodation superstructure. She was bombed and sunk by German aircraft during WW II as she passed down the east coast of Scotland in convoy with a cargo of foodstuffs that she had originally collected in Africa
We managed to drop the shot directly onto the Boat Deck above the Engine room and our group had a good exploration around this massive superstructure with covered walkways leading along either side and doors opening into the accomodation.
This wreck partially collapsed in 1969 and released part of her cargo which was lard in wooden barrells. The wood had rotted away but the lard kept its barrel shape and was washed ashore. Locals recovered the lard and after scraping off the rancid outer layers were able to use the lard for cooking. The story goes that you had to be careful when frying it as from time to time you came across German bullets from the straffing runs.
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