Chrisoula K (Tile Wreck)

Greek cargo steamer — launched in Germany in 1954 as the Dora Oldendorff — that ran full tilt onto the northeast corner of Sha'ab Abu Nuhas on the night of 30 August 1981 while carrying roughly 3,000 tonnes of Italian floor tiles toward Jeddah. The hull broke apart on the reef; the intact bow and anchor winch now rise to within about 5 m of the surface while the stern, engine room and four bladed propeller rest on sand at 26 m. Divers know it as the 'Tile Wreck' because the forward holds are still stacked with terracotta tiles, many stamped 'Made in Italy.' Clouds of glassfish fill the holds, anthias and soft coral coat the railings, and lionfish, groupers and morays work the collapsed midsection.