Drought Brings ‘Sava’s Titanic,’ a World War II-Era Shipwreck, Back Into View in Serbia
Learn how record-low water levels brought the Slovenac back into view 81 years after the wartime tug sank in the Sava River.
A 113-year-old steam tug known locally as "Sava's Titanic" has resurfaced in Serbia due to low water levels in the Sava River. The wreck, which lies between Sremska Mitrovica and Šabac, has been partially exposed for the first time in decades, according to Radio Television of Serbia (RTS) and the Associated Press.
Dejan Ilić, who saw the ship as a child, recalled hearing older residents talk about the vessel. However, the current drought has exposed more of the ship's hull than ever before, generating renewed interest in this World War II-era tug. The Slovenac, built in Budapest in 1913, was originally named the Vag and served the Danube before its name was changed to Slovenac during World War I.
After battleship-like repairs and a brief stint under German control, the Slovenac was repurposed to transport wounded fighters during the war's last days. It sank near the end of World War II when a German contact mine hit it while hauling barges and equipment. The ship has been underwater for 81 years, during which sand and mud have accumulated around it, leaving part of the hull beside a river sandbar.
Although the reappearance of the Slovenac has piqued local interest, it also poses risks due to strong currents, whirlpools, and the disappearance of metal pieces during previous sightings. Serbian hydrology expert Dejan Vladikovic warned that similar conditions will likely become more frequent as climate change continues to affect the region.
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