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Tyrifjord

The Tyrifjord,  a 3080gt, 332 x 47 x 23 ft ship with a three cylinder triple-expansion steam engine built by North Eastern Marine Engineering in Newcastle in 1919. She was sunk by the RAF in September 1944 in the same attack that sank the Lynx. At the time she was travelling from Germany to northern Norway to collect a cargo of iron ore. Two ships were hit during the same attack in Askvoll harbour. One, possibly the German vessel Libau, was beached and salvaged near the church, while Tyrifjord remains where she sank.  

                                                 Tyrifjord wheel - picture by Rachael Blackwell

The stern of the wreck is intact in 37m and includes a splendid 12-spoke auxiliary steering wheel, but forward of the rear accommodation only the hull remains reasonably intact, with the decks and superstructure collapsed. The cargo included motorised vehicles, one of which still has its tyres on. The wreck is in one piece with the bow at about 25m. Tyrifjord is sunk into the muddy bottom to the top of the rudder. There can be a thick layer of dark water at the surface, but the water at depth is clear, with the gloom adding to the atmosphere on an excellent wreck. Beware however that there is some silt about and clumsy finning can ruin the dive for the whole party (except those with the luck/sense to get in first).