TA 36 wreck

This torpedo escort destroyer of smaller dimensions (82 m long, with a beam of 8.6 m) was designed for convoy escort duties and for anti-submarine operations. Her construction began in the shipyard of Rijeka and commissioned by the Italian Navy under the name "Stella Polare". Following Italy's capitulation She was commandeered by the German Navy, designating it "TA 36". It was launched on July 11th in 1943. and sank on March 18th in 1944. when, due to a navigational error, it struck an underwater mine some 800 m north of the wharf at Brestova. Although Germans were aware of the minefield, the ship's captain was taking a forbidden route. It was also noted that the site of sinking was recoded at a wrong location where, of course, it could not be located. The wreck was discovered accidentally and its condition shows the true fate that befell the vessel. More than 40 German sailors died in this incident. The wreck is officially categorized as a war grave, and as such is under the protection of the Croatian Ministry of culture. Consequently, diving is possible only in the organisation of licensed diving centres. The wreck can be found about 800 m to the north from Brestova jetty and the exact coordinates are 45d 08m N, 14d 13m E, at a depth of 45 to 65 metres. Her twin barrelled guns and anti-aircraft guns, as well as the triple-barrelled torpedo launchers with torpedoes still in them have remained in place. The explosion broke the ship in two immediately adjacent to the command bridge. The bow came to rest about 150 m from the rest of the ship and is of no interest to divers. Visibility is variable, but often very good and the current is moderate, but occasionally can go strong. Depth: 45-65 m Length: 82,3 m Width: 8,6 m Source: http://www.crodiver.com Approximately 800m north of the Brestova jetty. TA 36 wreck is also known as Stella Polare.