The wreck of the rescue ship Mimis, lying quietly in the heart of the Saronic Gulf, stands as one of the most evocative reminders of Greece’s naval history. It combines a dramatic wartime story, rich technical detail, and an underwater setting that captivates both history enthusiasts and experienced divers alike.

Mimis (formerly Phoceen, Jane, and Jollife) was built in 1888 by J. Readhead & Co. in South Shields, United Kingdom. She was a 276 gross ton (53 net ton) auxiliary vessel powered by a triple-expansion steam engine of 101 nominal horsepower and registered under Piraeus registry number 805. The ship served as a rescue and auxiliary vessel, crewed by twenty-seven men — fifteen from the Merchant Navy and twelve from the Hellenic Navy.

On the night of 28 to 29 March 1941, while on patrol between Tourlos and Fleva, Mimis struck a naval mine and sank within just three minutes. Out of the twenty-seven souls onboard, twenty-three tragically lost their lives, and only six survived. The explosion tore through the forward section of the ship, causing fires and catastrophic damage to the bridge and deck. Those who managed to escape leapt into the sea and were rescued hours later by the torpedo ship Aigili.

Today, the wreck rests upright on the seabed of the Saronic Gulf. The stern and propeller remain clearly visible, while the bow was blown off by the explosion and is missing. The maximum depth at the propeller reaches about 80 meters, with the shallowest parts of the wreck lying around 70 meters. The surviving structures of the stern, helm, and propeller make for striking photographic subjects and offer a haunting sense of the ship’s former presence.

Diving Mimis is a technical and demanding experience. The depth, conditions, and history require careful planning, solid decompression procedures, and respect for the site. Proper lighting and high-powered torches help reveal the details of this deep, shadowed environment. As with all historic wrecks, divers should refrain from touching fragile structures or removing any artifacts. Mimis is both a war grave and an underwater museum.

The video accompanying this page captures the key features of the wreck, the stern, the propeller, the bridge, and sections of the main deck. While the photographs highlight details such as the helm, torn metal edges, and areas where marine life has taken hold. Each image and frame tells a fragment of the ship’s story, a moment frozen in time where human history meets the slow work of the sea.

The wreck of Mimis is significant not only as a site of loss but also as a living testament to Greece’s maritime heritage. It embodies both the historical weight of World War II and the quiet transformation of a vessel into an underwater ecosystem. For divers, it is more than just a deep dive, it is a journey into the past, where the echoes of war and the beauty of the sea coexist in solemn harmony.