The wreck of Telamon, between Arrecife and Costa Teguise, is finally being dismantled and removed by a scrap metal company.
Cranes and other heavy machinery will tackle the rear end of the ship first before moving on to the submerged front end. The scrap will be sent to specialist company on mainland Spain.
The removal of the ship has been greeted with sadness by locals and visitors, for whom it has become a much-loved landmark. The dramatic silhouette of the Scottish-built ship has been one of Lanzarote’s favourite photo opportunities. until recently it was also a popular scuba diving site..
However, authorities have never considered promoting the wreck as a tourist attraction. They have long been concerned that the slow deterioration of the ship is creating a permanent safety hazard, and that there is little they can do to stop adventurous types swimming or boarding the rusting hulk.
The Telamon was built in Dundee in 1953 and originally sailed under the name Temple Hall. It was later purchased by a Greek company, and was deliberately run aground in 1981 after suffering damage in a storm while transporting timber from the Ivory Coast to Thessaloniki.
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