Italian Hospital ship

Po Shipwreck: A Dive into History Beneath Vlora’s Waters

The Po Shipwreck, located in the waters near Vlorë, Albania, is one of the most fascinating dive sites in the region. This historic wreck offers divers a unique opportunity to explore a well-preserved ship, now transformed into an underwater haven for marine life. Combining history, adventure, and natural beauty, the Po Shipwreck is a must-visit site for experienced divers.

Key Features of the Po Shipwreck

1. History Beneath the Waves

   • The Po was an Italian cargo ship that sank during World War II. Its remnants rest at the bottom of the sea, offering a glimpse into a bygone era of maritime history.
   • The ship’s hull, deck structures, and scattered cargo remain visible, making it a fascinating exploration site for history enthusiasts.

2. Diving Highlights

   • Depth: The wreck lies at a depth of 28–35 meters, making it ideal for advanced divers.
   • What to See: Explore the ship’s intact bow, cargo holds, and upper deck, now encrusted with corals and sponges.
   • Marine Life: The wreck is home to a variety of marine species, including groupers, moray eels, and schools of colorful fish. Divers may also spot octopuses hiding among the ship’s crevices.

3. Underwater Photography

   • The combination of the wreck’s structure, marine life, and excellent visibility provides endless opportunities for stunning underwater photographs.

Why Dive at the Po Shipwreck?

1. Historical Significance:
   Dive into a piece of World War II history and explore the story of the Po through its well-preserved remains.

2. Rich Marine Ecosystem:
   The wreck has become an artificial reef, attracting a diverse array of marine life and creating a vibrant underwater ecosystem.

3. Adventure and Discovery:
   Navigating the wreck offers an exciting challenge for advanced divers, with opportunities to explore its various sections and hidden features.

Who Can Dive Here?

• Experience Level:
  • The depth and structure of the Po Shipwreck make it suitable for advanced divers with proper certifications, such as Advanced Open Water Diver (AOWD) or equivalent.
  • Strong buoyancy control and prior wreck-diving experience are recommended.

Tips for Diving the Po Shipwreck

1. Equipment:

   • Bring a dive torch to illuminate darker areas inside the wreck.
   • A wetsuit (5mm or more) is recommended for comfort, especially in cooler months.

2. Dive Planning:

   • Work with a certified local dive center in Vlorë to ensure safe access and guidance to the wreck.
   • Check weather and water conditions before your dive, as currents can vary.

3. Safety:

   • Avoid penetrating the wreck unless you are trained in wreck diving and have appropriate equipment.

How to Reach the Po Shipwreck

• Location: The wreck is located a short boat ride from Vlorë. Dive centers in the area regularly organize trips to this site.
• Accessibility: Guided dives are the safest and most convenient way to explore the wreck, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience.

Why Visit the Po Shipwreck?

Diving the Po Shipwreck is more than just an underwater adventure—it’s a journey through history and nature. This incredible site offers the perfect combination of exploration, challenge, and beauty, making it a highlight of any diving trip to Vlorë.

Ready to explore the Po Shipwreck? Contact us to book your dive and discover one of Albania’s most remarkable underwater treasures!

• Historical Background

  This ship has a rather singular history, as it operated on behalf of Austria-Hungary and Italy, had three names, performed four functions and even sank twice.
  In fact, it was built in Trieste between 1909 and 1911 for Österreichischer Lloyd (the Austrian-based Lloyds company) under the name Wien as a mixed steamer and was used on the express line between Trieste and Alexandria.
  
  During the Great War, it was requisitioned by the Austro-Hungarian Navy and used first as a hospital ship under the name "Spitalshiff VIII" and then as a barracks ship for the crews of German submarines based in Pula.
  
  In the final stages of the conflict, on the night between 31st October and 1st November 1918, it sank along with the battleship Viribus Unitis during an attack led by a couple of Regia Marina officers with the assault craft S 2 nicknamed "Mignatta". The Wien later set sail once again and, with its Italian name changed to Vienna, it resumed operations on the same route as before the war and then on routes towards Asia. During the Ethiopian War, it was chartered by the Regia Marina (Italian Royal Navy) and converted into a ship to transport the sick so that it could also transport troops and material that could not otherwise be sent in a unit officially classified as a hospital ship. At the end of the conflict with Ethiopia, the Vienna was returned to the ship-owning company, which renamed it as the Po and employed it again on the trade routes, yet on 21 May 1940, as Italy was about to enter World War II on 10th June, it was requisitioned by the Italian Royal Navy in Naples and converted into a hospital ship with 600 beds.
  
  On 10 July, the Po was registered in the cadre of the Naviglio Ausiliario dello Stato (State Auxiliary Navy) and was used to repatriate the wounded and sick from the Libyan and Greek-Albanian fronts, after Italy attacked Greece on 28th October 1940.
  The British government decided to support the Greek government, and one of the measures taken was to transfer the Fairey "Swordfish" single-engine biplanes of the 815th Naval Air Squadron to Greek soil.
  
  After a first attack against the Italian ships present in Vlorë on 13 March, the "Swordfish" repeated the action the following evening, during which they hit the Po with a torpedo, which, as was the practice when it stopped at night in a port, turned off the lights that served to identify it as a hospital ship.
  It sank in less than four minutes, but the promptness of the rescue team limited the loss to around 20 people. Among the survivors was the nurse Edda Ciano Mussolini.
  The Po has remained since then, in navigable trim, resting on a seabed approximately 35 meters deep, in a good state of preservation, with its upper structures only 12 meters below the surface of the sea.
  
  Building site: Austrian Lloyd Arsenal, Trieste
  Construction work start date: 25 November 1909
  Launch date: 4 March 1911
  Date of Commissioning: 28 August 1911
  Date of Requisition: 21" May 1940
  Transformation site: Cantieri Riuniti dell'Adriatico, Trieste
  Start and End Dates of Transformation
  Works: 28 May-10 July 1940
  Sank on: 14 March 1941
  Length: 138.36 meters
  Width: 16.86 meters
  Gross tonnage: 7,289.24 gross tons
  Engine: 2 x four-cylinder, four-expansion reciprocating steam engines with eight boilers, rated at 1,210 hp, 2 propellers
  Navigation speed: 17 knots Crew: a total of 240 people, including 7 volunteer nurses
  No of Beds: 600.