Duke of Sparta
A 134 m cargo ship built in West Hartlepool in 1940 as the Duke of Sparta and later renamed SS Aquilo. She was bombed in Ambon harbour in 1958 during a covert Cold War operation and sank a month later. Today she lies almost intact down the slope on the western side of the bay near the Pertamina fuel jetty, stern at about 12–13 m and bow beyond 40 m. Masts and deck are overgrown with soft corals and sponges, the holds allow easy penetration, and morays, lionfish and octopus live in the structure.
Facts
- Region: Banda Sea & Ambon
- Area: Ambon & Lease Islands
- Depth: 12–40 m
- Level: intermediate
- Current: low
- Type: wreck
- Coordinates: -3.6672, 128.1688 (approximate)
- Highlights: intact 134 m cargo wreck, soft coral on masts, sponges, fimbriated moray, cleaner shrimp, lionfish, octopus
- Tips: Visibility is usually 5–15 m and best on a rising tide; the mast area is the most photogenic. Only enter the holds with wreck training.