DiversInc

What a great wee wreck! The SS Paris II was a French cargo ship utilised by the French Navy during WWI. It lies not far from the shore near Kemer in south west Turkey on the Mediterranean side. This area is known as the Turkish Riviera and it's not hard to see why. The beachfront is adorned with 5 star hotels most equipped with exclusive golf courses, whilst the beautiful green sea is populated with sailing boats, jet skis, catamarans and pleasure cruisers; a real summer paradise.

The dive boat a converted fishing dhow, was operated by a local company and comprised mainly of day-trippers doing some snorkelling or an introduction to scuba. There were only 6 divers so it meant we would get the Paris to ourselves. That was a bonus although, it's noteworthy that divers are a secondary income, most of the efforts are concentrated on the snorkelers and tri-divers, with the company flogging them souvenir DVD's at the end of the trip. Still the food was OK and we got a fairly decent pre-dive briefing.

The wreck itself sits on a level keel and the deck is reached at 30 metres. There's a shotline fixed at the stern, which affords an easy decent. Although the guns have been removed there's still gun turrets on the fore and aft deck and you can penetrate the hull from the main deck which has worn away to the metal structure. It's only 65 metres long, so you can easily explore the full wreck and still have plenty air left. The viz though was only about 5 metres max. There wasn't much current, but there was still a lot of floating sand, so I imagine that this was the norm. However you can still clearly read out the name which makes for a good photograph.

Anyway, marks out of 10 – I'd give it a 7. Although small, it's a wreck with a whole lot of character. I felt a real affection for her and would relish the opportunity of doing it again. If you're ever in the Antalya region, make a point of diving this wreck. You won't be disappointed.

Below is an account of the sinking.

Commanded by Captain Rollin, the Paris II was attached during World War I to the Syria 7th Cavalry Company. Its mission was to patrol in coordination with the Alexandria and prevent the Turks from refuelling German submarines between Marmaris and Anamur. On December 13, 1917, the Paris II and the Alexandria, maintaining the distance that separated them, were cruising off Cape Agva. To the east, lighters from Antalya were casting anchor in a bay of the same name.

Suddenly the Paris II lookout signalled that he had spied a lighter in the bay. What happened next was told by Captain Rollin as follows:

"When we reached the north-western entrance to the harbour I gave the order to lower the boat with the purpose of capturing the lighter. As the boat headed toward the vessel it directed machinegun fire at the shore.

At 11:25, just as the boat reached the vessel, there came a fearful explosion on the starboard side of the bridge. One of the bombs exploded in the coal hold. This was followed by a rain of bombs, rifle and machinegun bullets.

The first two enemy shots had taken out the radio and the 75 calibre guns on both sides, so only the 100 calibre gun at the bow was in use. The shell that hit the command centre split it in two.

Trying to reach the tip of the cape, I turned the rudder to starboard but noticed that we were heading in the port direction. When the munitions dump in the stern exploded, fragments of metal flew through the air and the rudder locked up completely.

The damage was great and enemy fire continued as a fire raged. Because the rudder was locked the ship described a circle in the water. All our guns were out of action, so we couldn't defend ourselves, and the stern of the Paris II was slowly sinking.

The crew, almost all of them wounded, were waiting for the captain's order to abandon ship, and all I could do was to assist in saving them. I gave the command: 'Everyone jump in the water.

Further Information on the Paris II