“Vapeur” Steam ship Marcel (Le Farinier des Mèdes) On October 27th, 1895, the French cargo ship MARCEL, built in 1859, on voyage from Marseille to Nice with general cargo, was lost after a collision off Hyères.
It is a historic scuba diving site located in the Mediterranean Sea, just north of the island of Porquerolles, France. It is managed as part of the marine area of the Port-Cros National Park.
History of the Vessel
- Origins: Built in 1859 in England, this iron cargo ship was approximately 43 meters long and 7 meters wide, with a capacity of 289 gross register tons. It originally featured mixed propulsion, combining sails with a steam engine, and navigated under the names San Augustin and Santiga.
- The Marcel: The ship was later bought by the Mouriès shipping company based in Marseille and renamed Marcel. It was used for coastal trading between Port-Vendres and Nice, frequently carrying flour, which earned it its famous nickname.
The Sinking
The cargo ship met its end on the evening of October 27, 1895. While heading toward Nice through the Hyères islands pass, it was rammed on its forward starboard side by the Durance, a vessel belonging to the Fraissinet company that was traveling in the opposite direction. The collision was fatal, and the Marcel sank rapidly. Fortunately, the crew of the Durance managed to rescue all 11 crew members and 2 passengers, resulting in zero casualties.
The Diving Site Today
Having been reclaimed by marine life for over 130 years, the Marcel is one of the oldest motor-driven shipwrecks in the region.
The dive
Location Approximately 1,200 meters north of Cap des Mèdes (the northern tip of Porquerolles). Depth Sitting upright on a sandy and muddy seabed between 28 and 31 meters deep. I scanned the wreck in September 2026 Dive3d.eu
Model
You an find the files in my Shop
