Kostrena; merchant sailing ship, barque type; Austro-Hungary
Built: 1866 on Malta
Sunk: 19th-20th February 1888
Dimensions: l=42.02 m, w=9.38 m, h=5.85 m
Coordinates: 45.13333° N, 14.21833° E
Location: west of the cove of Bobina, not far from the ferry dock of Brestova on the eastern coast of Istria
Access: 1 access is possible only by boat
Visibility: 4-5 good to excellent
Current: 4 mostly weak
Flora and fauna: 4 varied life on and around the wreck


HISTORY:

The sailing ship Kostrena was purchased on 17th August 1881 on Malta. The ship sailed many times over the Atlantic, and these voyages, depending on the winds and currents, often lasted more than 60 days. In February 1888 the barque Kostrena returned home after another long voyage. After taking on board cargo in the French port of Cette bound for Rijeka, it headed towards the Adriatic. The sailing through the Mediterranean and all the way to the Adriatic passed calmly. In the early evening of 19th February the ship reached the Kvarnerić area. In the middle of the night of 19th-20th February, when the Kostrena found itself at the entrance of the Kvarner Bay by the Cape of Strganac, it was caught in a strong storm which soon turned from “bura” into a “škontradura” (squall). Some sails were immediately pulled in, and the others shortened for sailing through the storm. The ship was being carried further and further towards the steep Istrian coast. In a short time the “bura” wind reached hurricane force, and all the efforts of the commander and his crew to somehow break through the Vela Vrata strait were in vain. The gusts of the “bura” and the large waves soon turned the ship downwind, so that the entire length of the hull of the Kostrena “sat” on the bottom parallel to the coast. All the efforts of the crew to refloat the ship failed. When the dawn came, the Kostrena sat firmly on underwater reefs, about fifty metres away from the shore.

The “bura” blew with unabated intensity for the following few days. Tilted on its side, the Kostrena soon disappeared forever from the surface dragging down the greater part of its equipment and cargo to the seabed.


WRECK CONDITION AND DIVING:

To reach the place where the sailing ship Kostrena sank take the path which leads from the Rijeka–Pula coastal road and descend to the cove of Bobina. A much easier way to the cove is from the sea, where one can anchor on the shallow seabed. We already come across the first remains of the ship at a depth of 24 metres, when from the beach we turn towards the western cape. The bottom descends steeply to the depths, and the visibility is almost always excellent. We then come across the remains of the rudder and more wooden and iron remains of the ship, the hull of which has obviously disintegrated over time. As the ship is lying lengthwise parallel to the coast, its hull has broken up with time, and its contents have scattered into the depths. Some parts of the ship are also found at a depth of 41 metres. On the rocky slopes can be found many tiny remains of the ship’s equipment – iron rings of the mast, pieces of the hull, ropes, shrouds and keel. Our attention was drawn to a large square-shaped object made of sheet metal, which was a reservoir for drinking water. Still further we come across the rest of the ship, which in the below water section is covered with copper plates. At that time, in the absence of underwater coating, it was the only good protection against algae which grew over the ship’s hull and reduced the ship’s speed. Near the bow can be seen a circular metal object similar to a large crossbar wheel. It seems that is connected with an anchor windlass or a flywheel of the ship’s pump. Under the bow lies a large detached bitt for mooring. Between pieces of wood we come across some ceramic bottles and other remains of the ship’s inventory.


The description and illustrations are a courtesy of Danijel Frka and Jasen Mesić. Buy the whole book here: https://shop.naklada-val.hr/product_info.php?products_id=561