HMS Stubborn Submarine

HMS Stubborn Submarine, Qawra Point, Malta

Depth: 45m (avg), 56m (max) 

Level: Technical 

Overview:

HMS Stubborn (P238) is a fascinating S-class British submarine that now lies off Qawra Point. Scuttled deliberately on 30 April 1946 by the Royal Navy as a sonar training target, this wreck offers technical divers a rare opportunity to explore a well-preserved piece of naval history. Located roughly 3 km northeast of Qawra Point, the submarine rests on a sandy seabed in a relatively intact condition, albeit with a slight tilt toward the starboard side.

History & Background:

• Service History: HMS Stubborn was commissioned during World War II and served the Royal Navy in various capacities. After the war, rather than being scrapped, she was intentionally scuttled as a training target - a decision that inadvertently created a unique underwater attraction.
• Scuttling: On 30 April 1946, HMS Stubborn was sunk on purpose to provide a sonar training target. This controlled scuttling ensured that much of her structure would remain intact, offering modern technical divers an intriguing glimpse into mid 20th century submarine design.

Wreck Details: 

• Dimensions: Approximately 66 m in length and 7 m in beam.
• Depth: The top of the submarine positioned at around 50 m and the deepest point reaching 56 m.
• Position: The wreck lies fairly upright on a sandy bottom.

Dive Highligths:

• Accessibility: This is primarily a boat dive. It lies approximately 3 kilometers (1.9 miles) northeast of Qawra Point, off the coast of St. Paul’s Bay.
• Wreck Features: The wreck remains largely intact, with its conning tower rising to 45 meters and featuring open escape hatches that provide a haunting look inside. The torpedo tubes at the bow and the well preserved hull structure make it a fascinating dive site.
• Marine Life: Schools of damselfish, cardinalfish, and anthias are commonly seen hovering around the submarine, while moray eels and scorpionfish hide in the wreck’s crevices. The open escape hatches and torpedo tubes provide shelter for octopuses and cuttlefish, while fireworms, sea urchins, and red sponges have started colonizing parts of the hull. The deeper, open-sea environment occasionally brings barracudas, groupers, and amberjacks, making for exciting encounters. The sandy seabed surrounding the wreck may also reveal stingrays and burrowing sand eels, adding to the site’s biodiversity.

Why Visit?

HMS Stubborn is an underwater monument to a bygone era of naval history. For technical divers looking to push their limits, this wreck provides an exceptional challenge along with the opportunity to witness firsthand the transformation of a military asset into an artificial reef. Its relatively intact structure, historical significance, and the mystery of its underwater environment make it a must-dive for those seeking a truly unique experience beneath the waves.