1939

Construction started in Sunderland

April 1940

Launched, carried cargoes from USA, South America and West Indies

May 1941

Carried military supplies for 8th Army in Alexandria, via Cape Town and Suez

September 1941

Convoy anchored off Shadwan Island, waiting for Suez Canal to be cleared

5 October 1941

Four Heinkel 111 bombers depart from Crete

1952 - 1953

Cousteau expedition discovers wreck and recovers bell and captain's safe

1956

National Geographic features expedition

1956 - 1992

Site forgotten by all but local fishermen

1992

Wreck rediscovered by sport divers

May 1993

John Bantin writes about Thistlegorm for Diver

1994

Caroline Hawkins' Last Voyage of the Thistlegorm shown on BBC

6 October 2001

60th anniversary of sinking