The Greek Ship and Its Fascinating Story

Some events may initially seem unfortunate, but it is possible that these very bitter experiences will later become part of the collective memory of people, shaping their culture and way of life. Surely, the day the Greek Ship ran aground and its owners lost their investment, they never imagined that this incident would create one of the most beautiful sights on Kish Island—a view that, over the decades, has attracted millions of visitors.

History and Fate of the Greek Ship

Contrary to its name, the “Greek Ship” was not built in Greece; it was constructed in Glasgow, Scotland. Eventually, after being owned by English and Iranian proprietors, it came into the hands of a Greek merchant. The ship was built in 1943 (1322 Solar Hijri), weighing 7,061 tons and measuring 136 meters in length at the time of construction. The ship’s first owner was the British Ministry of War Transport, which put it into service in 1946 (1325 Solar Hijri) under the name “Empire Trumpet.” Three years later, it was purchased by the Charente Steamship Company of Liverpool and renamed “Naturalist.” In 1969 (1338 Solar Hijri), a group of Iranians living in the UK bought the ship and named it “Kourosh Parsi.” The next owner was the Iranian Shipping Company, based in Khorramshahr, which renamed the vessel “Hamedan.” After a series of ownership changes, the ship eventually reached a Greek merchant, who named it “Cola F” and carried numerous passengers to Greece. However, on 26 July 1966 (4 Mordad 1345 Solar Hijri), the ship ran aground near the village of Bagoo, west of Kish Island. In the following days, numerous attempts were made to free the ship, but they all failed. Due to its immense weight, the vessel had sunk into the sand, making it impossible to move. After 80 days, everyone gave up on salvaging the ship, leaving it abandoned. It is said that the ship was carrying oil at the time it ran aground.

Why Did the Greek Ship Run Aground?

There are various stories regarding why the Greek Ship ran aground. Some believe that the owner of the ship went bankrupt and, considering the high insurance value, conspired with the captain and crew to deliberately sink the ship and claim a large compensation. Others attribute the accident to a mistake by the captain. Another theory suggests that while the ship was sailing toward Greece at night, it veered off course due to foggy conditions and eventually became stranded on the sand. Whatever the cause, today the Greek Ship has become one of the most remarkable sights on the coast of Kish Island.

Current Condition of the Greek Ship

After several decades since it ran aground, various parts of the Greek Ship have eroded and collapsed due to the saline waters of the Persian Gulf. It is likely that in the next one or two decades, even more sections will deteriorate, and little or nothing of this beautiful ship may remain.

Visiting the Greek Ship

The popularity of the Greek Ship among tourists has gradually led to the development of facilities along the nearby beach. If you visit this part of Kish Island, you can enjoy camel and horse riding on the beach. Additionally, the Sunset Beach Park, covering 60,000 square meters, along with several restaurants, hotels, and accommodations, are located near this beach.