Numida
The S.S. Numidia, a steam cargo ship built in 1901 for the Anchor Line Ltd, embarked on its fateful second voyage in July of the same year.
Departing Liverpool for Calcutta with a crew of 97 and a general cargo of 7,000 tons, it successfully traversed the Suez Canal. However, in the early hours of July 20th, while steering near Big Brothers Island, it unexpectedly ran aground on the island’s northern plateau, nearly beneath the island’s lighthouse.
Despite efforts to free the vessel, the damage to the bow led to water ingress. Assistance was sought but proved unsuccessful. Captain Craig ensured the crew’s rescue and stayed for seven weeks overseeing the cargo salvage before the ship eventually sank. Today, the wreck lies perpendicular to the reef, with its bow at around 8 meters and descends steeply to approximately 80 meters, embraced by soft and hard corals. Notable features include the marked train axles on the wreck’s top, empty cargo holds, remnants of the wooden decking, and the steel support components of the superstructure. At around 50 meters, the funnel and engine room are found, while the propeller and rudder sit at 80 meters beneath the rounded stern.
The Numidia’s wreck presents an engaging dive site suitable for divers of varying certification levels, boasting rich marine life. Adjacent to this site lies another intriguing shipwreck, the Aida, located a mere 100 meters away.
Depth (m)
8 - 80Type
Passenger / Cargo VesselLength (m)
137.4Beam (m)
16.7Weight (tn)
6399Date Sank
20/7/1901History of Numida
Built in 1901 by Doxford & Sunderland in Sunderland, England, the Numidia was a 137-meter (449 feet) long steamship designed for global maritime trade. The vessel was primarily used for transporting cargo between Europe and the Far East, a common route during the height of the British Empire’s maritime dominance.
On July 20, 1901, during one of its voyages from Liverpool to Calcutta, the Numidia met a tragic end. Navigating through the Red Sea, the ship ran aground on the northern tip of Big Brother Island, part of Egypt’s Brother Islands. The collision with the reef was severe, and efforts to refloat the ship were unsuccessful. After a week of being stuck on the reef, the Numidia was abandoned, and it eventually broke in two, with the stern section slipping into deeper waters.
Today, the wreck of the Numidia lies at a depth ranging from 8 to 80 meters (26 to 262 feet), making it accessible to divers of varying experience levels. The upper sections of the wreck, including the bow, are encrusted with vibrant corals and swarming with marine life, while the deeper parts of the stern offer a more technical dive experience.
Exploring the Numidia, divers can see a wealth of marine biodiversity, including schools of trevallies, groupers, and anthias. The wreck itself, with its intact propeller and remnants of the cargo holds, offers a captivating glimpse into early 20th-century maritime engineering and trade.