SS Albanien (Wreck)

The Albanien, a steamer wreck, rests at a depth of 72 meters near the coast of Kvarneric, providing excellent visibility for divers. This is due to the fishing restrictions in the area, which prevent nets from disturbing the sediment. The wreck is adorned with vibrant sponges and offers a high chance of encountering scorpion fish. Divers can also spot damselfish and sea bream swimming around the wreck.

During the onset of the First World War, the Austro-Hungarian merchant navy possessed a fleet of 501 steamships. This fleet consisted of 253 large open sea ships, 22 large coastal ships, and 226 small shore sailing ships, comprising a total of 1,035,611 BRT and employing 12,110 crew members. The majority of sailors hailed from coastal regions, particularly the Croatian coast and Dalmacija.

As the war began, several large ships were sailing in foreign waters, where they were subsequently interned and seized. Fortunately, numerous steamships managed to evade such a fate by remaining in safe havens like Trieste, Rijeka, Bačkar Bay, Prukljan Lake, and the Novigrad Sea. It was only after Italy joined the war on the side of the Allied Powers that ships from Trieste were sent southward. During this period, some steamers were leased to the navy and land army, serving as transport or patrol vessels.

The Albanien, constructed in 1910 at the Stabilimento Tecnico Triestino (STT) shipyard in Trieste, belonged to the Austrian Lloyd shipping company. This steamship, along with its twin ship named Adelsberg, had a total tonnage of 1122 BRT and 517 NRT. The Albanien measured 66 meters in length, 9.7 meters in width, and had a hull height of 4.8 meters. Powered by a steam engine producing 1350 horsepower, it could reach speeds of up to 12 knots. Moreover, the Albanien had a cargo capacity of 1010 tons and could accommodate 44 passengers across the first and second class cabins.

Before the war, the Albanien primarily operated short coastal cruises. However, once the conflict began, it found its anchorage at Prukljan Lake until 1916 when it was requisitioned for local military transports along the Adriatic coast. The ship's final voyage involved transporting a cargo of hay from Zelenik. On the morning of June 4, 1916, at approximately 6:45 am, the Albanien, under the command of Captain Antun Scampicchio, was struck by two torpedoes from the Italian submarine Atropo. The ship sank rapidly around five nautical miles south of the Dolfin Islet, near the northwestern tip of Pag. According to official documents, there were no reported casualties. However, some sources mention the unfortunate loss of three to five crew members, including the third chief officer and certain engine room crew members who were unable to escape the explosion.

Notably, the Adelsberg, the Albanien's twin ship, also did not survive the war, as it succumbed to a mine explosion just 16 days after the Albanien's sinking on June 20, 1916. The Atropo submarine, which sank the Albanien, was a German-built vessel that boasted a double hull, a top speed of 14 knots, and the distinction of being the first Italian submarine equipped with radio and to sink an enemy ship. The Atropo's operational service was limited after the war, primarily safeguarding the Corsini port near Ravenna, before being decommissioned in 1919.

In 1999 and 2000, WDS (Italian divers) explored the Albanien wreck. Their findings revealed that the stern of the ship had collided with rocks, resulting in its current resting place on a sandy and muddy seabed. Despite the damage to the stern, the deck remains remarkably well-preserved, and the two masts and a portion of the superstructure still stand in their original positions. Exploring this accessible wreck offers divers a captivating glimpse into maritime history.

For a memorable dive experience, divers should note that the Albanien wreck has a maximum depth of 72 meters and offers visibility of approximately 14 meters. Due to the depth and specific conditions of the site, it is recommended that only expert divers embark on this dive. The Albanien wreck is located near Novalja, Grad Novalja, Lika-Senj County, Croatia, providing divers with a unique opportunity to explore Croatian maritime heritage.