The Greek Ship of Kish : A Historic Landmark of the Persian Gulf

The Greek Ship, a stranded vessel that has become a permanent fixture in the waters of the Persian Gulf near the island of Kish, came to a halt on August 26, 1966, near the village of Baghou. The ship, carrying a large amount of oil, was abandoned by its crew after being stranded, and its cargo was unloaded. Despite extensive efforts to move the ship over a period of 80 days, no progress was made, and the ship remained where it was. Locals from Kish who witnessed the incident recount that after abandoning the ship, the Greeks set it on fire, which is why today, all that remains is its steel frame. Nevertheless, the wreck of the ship has become one of Kish Island’s notable tourist attractions. The Greek Ship is 131.9 meters long and 17.1 meters wide, and it was considered one of the best ships of its time.

History of the Greek Ship

The ship was built on March 9, 1943, by William Hamilton & Co. Shortly after its construction, it was sold to the British Ministry of War Transport and operated by the Larina Steamship Company. In 1945, it was sold to T&G Harrison Company, and a year later, the Charente Steamship Company purchased the vessel and renamed it Naturalist. Several years later, the Iranian company Lloyd & Co. Khorramshahr bought the ship and named it Kourosh Irani, and later, it was purchased by the Iranian Shipping Lines under the name Hamadan. Finally, in 1966, two Greek owners acquired the ship and renamed it Koula F. That same year, the ship ran aground, and its current name comes from the fact that it was owned by Greeks at the time of its stranding. To this day, the exact cause of the ship’s grounding remains a mystery, with various accounts from locals and other sources, none of which are fully reliable.

Activities at the Greek Ship

At first glance, you may only see the wreck of a stranded ship, but the surrounding area offers plenty of memorable experiences, including:

Watching the Sunset
After exploring and shopping around Kish Island, you can dedicate the end of your day to visiting the Greek Ship and watching the sunset. This breathtaking view will be etched in your memory for life, and you won’t find such a sunset anywhere else.

Photography
For photography enthusiasts, the Greek Ship provides an excellent subject, whether you’re a professional photographer or just taking shots with your phone. The area is full of beauty, and with a bit of creativity, you can capture unique images. For example, near the ship, there’s a clock shaped like a ship’s wheel, where most visitors take photos. There are also sculptures and other structures nearby, all of which offer interesting photography opportunities.

Camel Riding
Near the Greek Ship, local camel handlers offer rides. There’s no need to worry, as the handlers will ensure your safety, allowing you to enjoy the experience and take in the scenery from a higher vantage point.

Greek Ship Coastal Park
A coastal park has been established in the vicinity of the Greek Ship. You can rent a bicycle and ride toward the ship, giving you a unique perspective of the shipwreck.

Diving Prohibited
While diving is a popular activity in the Persian Gulf, it is not allowed near the Greek Ship due to the risks posed by the wreck, which could collapse at any moment. Though there are some older images of professional divers in the area, those were likely taken when the ship was in better condition.

How to Get to the Greek Ship

In Kish Island, the best way to reach attractions is by using city taxis or renting a car, which is available with or without a driver. You should head to Ghooroob (Sunset) Street, and at Ghooroob Square, you’ll find Sunset Coastal Park, where the Greek Ship is located. There is no entry fee, and you can visit at any time of day.

Nearby Attractions

Kish Ghost Castle: 2.7 km
Ocean Water Park: 8.7 km
Harireh Ancient City: 11.7 km
Kish Kariz Underground City: 15 km
Kish Recreational Pier: 17 km

Hotels Near the Greek Ship

Toranji Hotel, Kish: 6 km
Espadana Hotel, Kish: 12 km
Gamberon Hotel, Kish: 14 km
Sadaf Hotel, Kish: 14 km
Vida Hotel, Kish: 14 km

As mentioned above, this ship was built in 1943 by William Hamilton & Co. in Scotland, weighing 7,061 tons and measuring 136 meters in length. (Due to severe deterioration, its current weight is lower.) For the first time, it was purchased by the British Ministry of War Transport in London in 1943 (equivalent to 1325 in the Iranian calendar) and was named Empire Trumpet.

After three years, in 1946, the Charente Steamship Company in Liverpool bought the ship and renamed it Naturalist. After 13 years of use, this company sold the ship to Iranians in London in 1959, and it was renamed Kourosh Parsi. Six years later, in 1965, it was purchased by the Iranian Shipping Company in Khorramshahr, this time under the name Hamadan.

A year later, the ship was sold for the last time to a Greek merchant named P. Frangoulis, who changed its name to Koula F.

In the summer of 1966, the local residents of Baghou village were astonished to see a large ship stranded (various theories and reasons for this incident will be discussed later). The Greek Ship, which had traveled to Iran, was on its way back to Greece when it ran aground on the shores of Kish Island. Following this event, extensive efforts were made to free the vessel, which lasted for 80 days. However, due to the ship’s heavy weight, these efforts yielded no results and incurred significant costs. After 80 days, the passengers were forced to abandon the ship.

The ship was carrying oil, which was highly valuable, and it was fully unloaded, leaving the ship stranded on Kish Island to this day.

Stories Surrounding the Greek Ship Stranding

There are many stories and anecdotes about the Greek Ship. For example, some say that the ship’s captain fell in love with an Iranian girl, but her family opposed the relationship. One day, the captain arranged to take her with him to Greece, but the ship ran aground, preventing the marriage from happening.

Another tale suggests that the ship’s owner was facing severe financial bankruptcy, and together with the captain and crew, they orchestrated this event to claim insurance money. Additionally, some locals have reported that the captain was under the influence of alcohol, which led to the incident.

However, a more logical explanation, supported by a larger number of witnesses, is that the weather was very foggy at the time, and due to the absence of lighthouses, the ship drifted toward the island, resulting in the grounding.