An exceptionally low tide has revealed the remains of a wartime shipwreck – abandoned by its crew more than 80 years ago.
The ghostly skeleton of the South Coaster has appeared out of the River Exe in Devon where it sank in 1943.
The World War II vessel was built in 1916 by John Berg of Delfzijl in the Netherlands.
In 1943 the boat was permitted by the Admiralty to transport coal from Marsden in West Yorkshire to Exmouth.
Due to Exmouth’s narrow channel and large sand bank to one side, the South Coaster became stuck in the estuary.
The South Coaster, a ship built by John Berg of Delfzijl in the Netherlands, seen in the River Exe
The WWII vessel sank in 1943 after it became stuck in the estuary
The 13 crew members onboard were left with no choice but to abandon ship and a lifeboat came to their rescue.
Now over 80 years on, the 20th century wreck only makes a rare appearance above the water’s surface.
But unusually low tides have clearly exposed her stern, bow and hull to passersby.
It comes as coastal engineers predict very low tides in the UK. Due to climate change they may even be the lowest anyone will see again, says the BBC.
The South Coaster is just one of many rotting wrecks that lie along the River Exe.
A World War Two vessel and other rotting hulls have been spotted
In 2021 Exeter City Council announced a clean up of the river and vowed to remove 25 abandoned boats in varying forms of decay.
According to experts the position of the moon and sun will create an ‘exceptionally’ low tide meaning that residents will likely be treated to a series of shipwrecks emerging from the River Exe.
The 13 crew members onboard had no choice but to abandon ship
According to experts the position of the moon and sun will create an ‘exceptionally’ low tide meaning that residents will likely be treated to a series of shipwrecks emerging from the River Exe
Coastal engineer Hamish Hall from Moffatt & Nichol explained they are caused by an unusual series of events.
The movement of the moon is coinciding with the September equinox when the gravitational pull of both heavenly bodies align more closely.
Mr Hall said: ‘It’s probably another 10 years before we see this type of low tide again. With sea level rise projections we may never see this predicted low tide again.’