SS Rosalie Moller

Depth 32-50 m

Types Wreck

Rosalie Moller Wreck — One of the Red Sea's Most Famous Wrecks

The Rosalie Moller is one of the most legendary shipwrecks in the Egyptian Red Sea and one of the most sought-after wreck dives for experienced divers. Lying in the Strait of Gubal, north of Hurghada, this well-preserved World War II cargo ship offers an extraordinary combination of history, marine life and deep wreck diving. Unlike the nearby SS Thistlegorm, which is famous for its wartime cargo and relatively accessible depth, Rosalie Moller lies significantly deeper and is generally less frequently visited. Her intact hull, impressive superstructure and large cargo holds make her a spectacular underwater time capsule.

The History of Rosalie Moller

The ship was built in 1910 by Barclay, Curle & Co. in Glasgow, Scotland, originally launched as Francis. She was a British steam-powered cargo ship measuring approximately 115 metres in length, with a beam of around 15 metres. After changing ownership, the vessel was renamed Rosalie Moller in the 1930s and operated primarily as a general cargo ship. During the Second World War, she was requisitioned by the British government and used to transport vital supplies for Allied forces. Her final voyage was part of the wartime effort to supply British forces in the Middle East. In October 1941, Rosalie Moller was carrying a large cargo of Welsh coal when she anchored in the Red Sea, waiting for instructions to proceed through the Suez Canal. On the night of 8 October 1941, the ship was attacked by the German bomber Heinkel He 111. Two bombs struck the vessel, causing catastrophic damage. Rosalie Moller sank rapidly and came to rest on the seabed in the Strait of Gubal. The wreck remained largely forgotten for decades before being rediscovered and identified by divers and wreck explorers.

The Legend of the Light

One of the most fascinating stories surrounding Rosalie Moller is the legend of how the ship was discovered by the German bombers that sank her. According to the story, Rosalie Moller was lying at anchor in the darkness of the Red Sea, deliberately keeping her lights off to avoid attracting enemy attention. Two days earlier, the nearby SS Thistlegorm had been attacked and its ammunition exploded with such tremendous force that the flash could reportedly be seen from a great distance. The legend says that this unexpected illumination revealed the presence of Rosalie Moller to the German aircraft. Two days later, on 8 October 1941, the bombers returned and attacked her. Whether the explosion of Thistlegorm actually gave away Rosalie Moller's position remains part of the mystery surrounding the wreck. What is known is that both ships were lost within days of each other in the same area of the Red Sea — creating an extraordinary connection between two of the world's most famous wreck dives.

Diving the Rosalie Moller

Today, Rosalie Moller lies upright on the seabed, with the ship remarkably intact considering its age and wartime loss. The wreck sits at approximately 45–50 metres, placing much of the dive firmly within the realm of technical diving. The top of the superstructure is shallower, while the seabed beneath the hull reaches considerably greater depth. The ship's bow, stern, bridge, masts, cargo holds and superstructure remain clearly recognisable. Divers can still see many of the original features of the vessel, including deck fittings, winches, railings and other details that help bring the ship's history to life. The four large cargo holds originally carried coal, and some of the remains of this wartime cargo can still be found inside the wreck.

The Engine Room

For suitably trained divers, one of the highlights of Rosalie Moller is the engine room. The ship's large steam engine and associated machinery remain remarkably impressive. The engine room provides a fascinating look at the technology that powered early 20th-century cargo ships, with pipes, valves, machinery and structural details still visible. Penetrating the interior of Rosalie Moller requires appropriate training, equipment, gas planning and experience. Even when staying outside the wreck, however, there is more than enough to explore over several dives.

Marine Life on Rosalie Moller

The wreck has developed into an impressive artificial reef and is often covered with marine growth. Large schools of fish can gather around the hull, while the superstructure and darker areas of the wreck provide shelter for moray eels, lionfish, groupers and other Red Sea species. One of the most memorable aspects of Rosalie Moller is the combination of a huge, intact shipwreck with abundant marine life. In good visibility, the scale of the vessel can be difficult to appreciate in a single dive.

Rosalie Moller vs. Thistlegorm

Rosalie Moller and SS Thistlegorm are often mentioned together because both are famous World War II wrecks in the northern Egyptian Red Sea. The experiences, however, are quite different. Thistlegorm is shallower and famous for its wartime cargo — motorcycles, trucks, locomotives and other military supplies. It is one of the most accessible iconic wrecks in the region. Rosalie Moller is deeper, generally quieter and exceptionally intact. Instead of focusing primarily on cargo, the dive is about the ship itself: its enormous hull, superstructure, machinery and atmosphere. For experienced wreck divers, seeing both on the same safari provides an excellent contrast between two of the Red Sea's most famous World War II wrecks.

Depth and Diving Requirements

Rosalie Moller is a deep dive and should not be approached as a standard recreational wreck dive. The main wreck lies around 45–50 metres, with additional depth possible depending on the exact part of the wreck being explored. Divers should therefore have appropriate deep-diving experience and use a suitable gas plan and equipment. For technical divers, the depth also makes Rosalie Moller an interesting site for extended exploration, provided that the dive is planned and conducted within appropriate training and equipment limits. Conditions can also be challenging. The wreck is exposed to open-water conditions, and current, visibility, wind and sea state can vary significantly. For recreational divers, only superstructures at 32-40m are available.

Where Is Rosalie Moller?

The wreck lies in the Strait of Gubal, in the northern Egyptian Red Sea, relatively close to the better-known Thistlegorm area but far enough away to have a very different atmosphere. Its location makes Rosalie Moller particularly suitable for liveaboard diving, as reaching the wreck by day boat from Hurghada is considerably less practical than visiting it as part of a multi-day safari.