History

HMS Stella Sirius began her career as a 404-ton fishing trawler, constructed in 1934. With the outbreak of the Second World War, the vessel was requisitioned by the Admiralty in 1939 and converted for anti-submarine operations before joining the 7th Anti-Submarine Group based in Gibraltar.

The vessel's service was short-lived. On 25 September 1940, during one of the Vichy French air raids on Gibraltar, Stella Sirius suffered a direct attack while lying in harbour.

Archival research undertaken at The National Archives, Kew, including the official Board of Inquiry report (ADM 1/10776), provides valuable insight into the incident. The bombing formed part of a series of retaliatory air attacks carried out by Vichy French forces following Allied operations against Dakar in West Africa.

During the raid, a bomb struck the vessel, causing casualties among crew members sheltering in the forward section and igniting a serious fire. Despite determined efforts by the surviving crew and personnel from neighbouring ships, the blaze continued to spread towards the vessel's magazine and stored depth charges. To prevent a potentially catastrophic explosion within the harbour, the decision was made to deliberately sink the ship. Flooding was initiated by opening the Kingston valves and damaging the condenser intake system, allowing the vessel to settle safely on the harbour floor.

Initial underwater inspections indicated that the damage was not beyond repair, and salvage was briefly considered. However, subsequent accounts suggest that the remains were eventually removed from the harbour and scuttled outside the South Mole. Following the war, the wreck is believed to have been used by Royal Navy divers for explosive disposal and demolition training.

Interest in locating the wreck continued for many years. Divers familiar with the area recalled seeing remains near the South Mole during the 1980s, prompting a systematic search in 2003, during which surviving sections of the vessel were successfully relocated.

Archaeological and historical research into Stella Sirius continues. Efforts have included tracing original construction plans, identifying former crew members and documenting the vessel's wartime service. Descendants of members of the crew have contributed valuable information, helping to preserve the personal stories associated with the ship. Among those known to have lost their lives during the attack were Leading Seaman Joseph Wootton, Seaman T. R. Griffin, and Seaman G. C. Thomas, the latter two being buried at Gibraltar's North Front Cemetery. Additional first-hand accounts of the attack survive through the recollections of Peter Buttigieg, who assisted during the rescue before later serving as an air gunner and becoming a prisoner of war.

Site Description

The surviving remains are located on the outer foundation slope of the South Mole, resting between approximately 15 and 21 metres below sea level.

Only a relatively small section of the original vessel survives, consisting primarily of the lower stern structure. The wreck measures approximately 12 metres in length and lies with the extreme stern uppermost. Dominating the site is the vessel's triple-expansion steam engine, while adjacent machinery—believed to include pumps or generators—remains heavily concreted by decades of marine growth.

 
Sections of hull plating survive around the engine room, particularly along the starboard side, where internal compartments can still be distinguished. On the port side the structure is considerably more distorted. The surviving sternpost and skeg, which originally supported the rudder assembly, remain identifiable.

During harbour improvement works in 1977, large concrete tetrapods were placed along the South Mole's foundations. Although several blocks came to rest close to the archaeological remains, the principal section of the wreck has largely remained unobstructed.

Scattered debris located around the main wreck may represent additional fragments dispersed when explosives were used on the vessel after the war. Further archaeological investigation may help clarify the relationship between these isolated remains and the surviving stern section.

Although only a small proportion of the original ship survives, the wreck provides an important archaeological record of a requisitioned Royal Navy trawler and contributes significantly to our understanding of Gibraltar's wartime maritime heritage.

Further Reading

Those wishing to explore the history of HMS Stella Sirius and Gibraltar's underwater cultural heritage in greater detail are encouraged to read Underwater Gibraltar: A Guide to the Rock’s Submerged Sites, by Phil Smith and Darren Fa. The book provides an extensive account of the Rock's submerged archaeological sites and is available through the Gibraltar National Museum and selected booksellers.

HMS Stella Sirius.