Wreck of the Jakljan: A World War II Cargo Ship in Kvarner Bay

The Jakljan is a cargo ship, originally built in 1924 in Trieste, measuring 41.1 metres long with a beam of 7.9 metres. Its history took a turn during World War II when it was seized by Italian forces in 1942, renamed 'Adria', and pressed into service as a transport vessel. After the Italian surrender in 1943, the German Wehrmacht took control, supplementing its Croatian crew with soldiers to man two 20 mm Italian Breda anti-aircraft cannons, making it a distinct historical dive.

On April 25, 1944, the Jakljan was tasked with transporting troops and supplies from Senj to Rijeka. Despite the captain's warnings about a severe Bora storm, the order stood, and the ship set sail. The treacherous conditions proved too much, pushing the vessel against the coast where it sank. Tragically, none of the sailors or soldiers aboard survived the sinking, leaving a solemn history in the depths of Kvarner Bay.

Today, the wreck lies vertically on the sand, approximately 100 metres off the eastern coast of Krk island, at a depth ranging from 37 to 55 metres. The descent to the Jakljan begins in open water, following a line attached to the stern. As you free-fall through the water column, the distinct outlines of the vessel become visible around 25 to 30 metres, revealing its structure as you approach.

The most striking features of the Jakljan are the two anti-aircraft guns positioned at the bow and stern. These armaments offer compelling photographic opportunities and a tangible link to its wartime role. Over the decades, the cargo has long since disappeared, and any Wehrmacht materials like helmets or equipment have fallen victim to salvage, leaving the ship’s structure and its guns as the primary points of interest.