SS Le Polynesien

SS Le Polynesien, Marsaskala, Malta

Depth: 50m (avg), 65m (max) 

Level: Technical 

Overview:

SS Le Polynesien is a captivating World War I wreck dive in Malta, lying about 3km east of Marsaskala. Once a 19th century French ocean liner, she now rests on her port side at a 45 degree angle on the seabed, with her upper structures at 45m and her lower sections reaching 65m. Known locally as Tal-Platti (plate ship) due to the former abundance of ceramic plates, china, and glass bottles now scattered around the site, SS Polynesien offers a dramatic, history rich underwater experience exposed to strong currents.

History & Background:

• Service History: Built in La Ciotat, France by Messageries Maritimes, and launched the 18th April 1890, SS Polynesien was a Risbec class ocean line one of four sister ships designed for hot climes with limited superstructure and canvas shades for deck protection. Measuring approximately 152.5m in length with a 15m beam, she was a three-masted steel barque powered by a steam engine, featuring a double funnel and a four-bladed propeller. Throughout her service, Polynesien operated on various routes including France, Australia (via the Suez Canal), later serving destinations in the Far East, and eventually returning to European routes. She was configured to carry a large number of passengers: 172 in first class, 71 in second class, 109 in third class, and 234 in steerage.
• Sinking: At the outset of World War I, she was requisitioned by the French authorities and converted into a troop transport, armed with bow and stern guns. On her final voyage, just three months before the end of the war, she sailed from Bizerte, Tunisia, to Salonika (Thessaloniki), Greece, carrying Serbian troops. The 10th August 1918, SS Polynesien was torpedoed by the German submarine SM UC-22. Hit on her port side near the engine room, she sank within half an hour, claiming nearly twenty lives.

Wreck Details: 

• Dimensions: She is 66.1m in length, her beam 7.2, and her draught 3.4m.
• Depth: Her top structures at around 45m and her hull extending down to 65m on the seabed.
  
• Position: The wreck lies on a 45 degree angle on her port side.

Dive Highlights: 

• Accessibility: It lies approximately 3 kilometers east of Marsaskala. SS Polynesien is a deep boat dive, that exposes divers to strong currents and challenging conditions.
• Wreck Features: The wreck was once surrounded by abundant ceramic plates, china, and glass bottles, though many of these items have been removed over the years (despite legal protections by Heritage Malta).
  • Bow: The deck structures are well preserved, with the front deck cannon and an anchor clearly visible. The cargo bay, though less dramatic, still contains remnants such as motorbike tires and pipes.
  • Mid: This area houses the engine room and bears the brunt of the torpedo impact, resulting in significant structural damage.
  • Stern: Despite some structural damage, the stern remains mostly intact. Notable features include the stern deck cannon and a propeller in near perfect condition, with below deck passenger areas revealing light fixtures, bed frames, and even bathtubs.
• Marine Life: Diving at the SS Polynesien wreck in Malta offers a chance to see a diverse range of marine life, including groupers, amberjacks, barracudas, scorpionfish, and moray eels hiding in the ship’s structure. Macro enthusiasts can spot nudibranchs, lobsters, shrimp, crabs, and octopuses nestled within the wreck’s crevices. The sandy seabed surrounding the wreck is home to stingrays, while eagle rays, tuna, and bonito can sometimes be seen gliding through the open water above. The wreck’s artificial reef environment makes it a hotspot for both small marine creatures and larger pelagic predators.

Why Visit?

SS Polynesien stands as a poignant maritime relic from World War I, offering a unique blend of historical narrative and challenging technical diving. Its extensive size, distinct sectional features, and dramatic underwater setting combined with the necessary permit system that underscores its heritage value make it a must dive for advanced divers interested in exploring one of Malta’s most historically significant wrecks.