THAI NAVY VESSEL 732 (Former USS LSM-469)

"Down she goes"

Courtesy Bangkok Post Article 1st Feb 2003

Further information on US Navy Vessels from http://www.navsource.org/

The Thai navy has sunk a decommissioned warship near Koh Phi and Koh Larn islands off Pattaya to turn it into a breeding ground for marine life.

Vice-Admiral Somjai Wattanayothin, chief-of-staff of the Royal Fleet at the Sattahip naval base, said the decommissioning of HTMS Khram to was a navy project to mark His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn's 50th birthday.

The United States gave this ship (Former USS LSM-469) renamed HTMS Khram to the Thai Navy on the 25 May 1962. The ship, now dilapidated beyond repair, has been in use for more than 60 years. It now lies about 300 meters from Koh Phi in 30m of water.

The Ship:

For information on the History and Construction of USS LSM-469 follow this link

For information on Other ships in the Thai Navy follow this link.

Sinking the HTMS Khram:

At Anchor	At Anchor (Side View)
This will makeher sink quicker!	Settling at the stern
Abandon Ship!	Swim clear to avoid suction!
Where's she gone	GPS Position

Diving the HTMS Khram:

Depth to the top of the wreck 15m; depth to the sea bed=30m; visibility 5-15m; Best choice of gas is Nitrox 38

This ship has been well prepared by the Thai Navy as a dive site, and is free from armaments, oil and most hazards to divers. Large holes have been cut in many areas and penetration dives through the ships passageways rarely takes the diver out of natural light. Care should be taken with a few of the rooms though, as big steel watertight doors are still fitted and may be locked easily with the unsuspected diver still inside.

The Bridge/Radio room

This is the highest are of the wreck. It is possible to stand on the bridge at 15m depth. all the glass has been taken out of the windows (sadly the portholes have gone too, sigh!) telegraph, steering mechanism, and any bits that may be used as spare parts have gone. Entry into the bridge area is simple and safe. A few new divers will probably have there certification cards presented to them in this room.

Deck Area and side passageways

The ship was made for carrying tanks, troops and equipment to a beach head, so the center of the boat is a large flat area with built up sides. There are several points of entry into the well lit side corridors, don't kick up the silt in them though as you swim through, else a complete silt out will occur.

Engine room

Located aft, entry via a large access hole in the middle of the load deck. again, great natural light in this area (unlike most engine rooms) Both main engines have been removed (probably to use a spare for her Thai Navy sister ship HTMS Kut). This is a great tech diving classroom, with pipes gauges and dials everywhere, though who knows how long they'll stay. Again, careful with silt in this are, as it's possible to get trapped under overhanging ledges going far under the deck.

The dive site is marked by 2 buoys at each end of the wreck.

HARDEEP WRECK

The 'Hardeep' shipwreck (An Anglicization of Suthathip, or S.S. Suddhadib)

Vessels name:- Suthathip, Registration:-Thai, Sunk:- May  1st May 1942 12:55pm

Depth=26meters ; Suitable for Air, Nitrox, technical diving

Bombed by French Aircraft during World War II during Franco/Thai Hostilities

Powered by:- 3 cylinder Coal fired engine. Single Screw

Vessel type:- Cargo ship Length/Tonnage:60meters/1000tons

Wreck Location:- N012’31.5, E100’57.5. Near Koh Chuang, Gulf of Siam

Wreck details:- Lying on its starboard side. Max depth 26 meters, with two 1000 pound bombs nearby

The Petchburi Bremen

Steamship: PETCHBURI

Built at:- George Seebeck AG shipyard, Bremerhaven, Germany. Yard Number:- 173

Tonnage : 2191 gross tonnage Length : 88,5 m Breadth : 11,9 m Draught :7,3m

Engine : 3-times expansion-steam engine Power : 1150 Hp, Speed : 12,5 nm/h,  Crew : 34

24.09.l901  : Launching under the name PETCHABURI for the company North German Lloyd in Bremen.

28.10.1901 : Delivery to the North German Lloyd

August 1914 : At the beginning of World War I the PETCHABURI was interned in Bangkok.

27.07.1917 : Confiscated by the Thais.

New name: KAEO SAMUD

27.12.1920 : On a voyage from Bangkok to Swatow with rice on board she ran ashore near Koh Sichang in the Gulf of Siam and sank.

Wreck Dive details:-

 Current Position in Chong Khram Channel at (approx) N11'40", E100'49".