The Tirpitz was a large cargo measuring 143m long and 18m at the beam. She was motorized by powerful motors developing 3700hp, propelling her to an average speed of 11.5 knots.

Launched in 1921 from the shipyard of Flensburger Schiffsbau under the name Tirpitz (sistership of the: Havenstein, the Hindenburg and the Prussen), the cargo belonged to the Compagnie Hamburg Amerika Linie. One day before the wreck of the Tirpitz, the Prussen was bombed by planes at Lampedusa. On the 23rd of July 1941, she struck a mine and sunk off the the village of San Remo.

The cargo is sitting on a steep slop with a list on port side and the general state of the ship is good. The visibility is usually good allowing the diver to see most of the wreck in on go. After a little while to get your vision acquainted you can easily see the castle, the gangways and the decks. The superstructures however did not survive over time and are in a very bad state. The holds are closed by panels separated by huge lift masts. The spare anchor is still in place and seems outsized, straight up against the stern castle. Penetration is possible through the many openings and the access to the engine room is done through a huge hole on the side of the ship. A huge boiler is visible and is linked to the hot air exhaust pipes going all the way up to the top deck. The holds are empty but their size makes you feel like you are swimming through a cathedral.

The main difficulty remains the depth and the fishing nets that cover her. There is generally no or little current and the visibility is good. The dive will be usually done on Trimix and all precautions are to be taken at that depth. Be especially careful if any penetration is done.