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Southsea Sub-Aqua Club have been awarded a grant from the British Sub-Aqua Jubilee Trust to fund the Neptune Wrecks project due to begin in August 2009. The grant will be used to fund costs of boat hire and club RIB expenses as we continue the work to research and survey local WW2 wrecks believed to be associated with the maritime Invasion of Normandy (Operation Neptune).
Last year 25 members of SSAC spent 5 days surveying the Tanks & Bulldozers wrecksite in Bracklesham Bay and as a result of identifying the wrecks were able to finally solve the mystery of how they had come to rest on the sea bed 20m below the surface. The WW2 War Diaries, held in the National Archive, provided the evidence to show that they had been lost from a capsized Landing Craft Tank (LCT). The LCT had broken down on its way accross the Channel on the evening of 5th June 1944 with engine problems and storm damage. After being taken under tow it subsequently capsized spilling the cargo of armoured fighting vehicles into the sea. However, as described in a report by one of the surviving crewmembers (Able Seaman C R Hunt RN), the LCT continued to float for some time until it was eventually fired upon to sink it. All crew, Royal Marines and Canadian troops - more than 50 personnel in total, were rescued without loss of life or injury. Only 2 other tanks of this type (Centaur CS IV) are known to have survived, both as war memorials in France. One other Armoured D7 bulldozer is known to be in private hands, which makes these wrecks very rare.
Earlier this year the son of the survivor contacted the club as a part of his research into his family history. We were able to meet him at his home in Plymouth and provide him with details of what had happened in the events leading up to D Day. As a result we are determined to find the wreck of the Landing Craft (LCT(A)2428) and this year's diving project will investigate a site which may be the wreck. We are also hoping to investigate a number of WW2 barges which supplied essential supplies to the invading Allied forces in the days/months following D Day. Approx 1000 river barges were requititioned by the Royal Navy and used to transport supplies, spares, fuel, water etc. Some were converted into workshops and kitchens.
Thanks to the very generous grant from the BSA Jubilee Trust and the continued support of Silent Planet Ltd (Portland) by supplying their dive boat 'TOP GUN' again this year, will allow SSAC divers to investigate and record a piece of undersea WW2 heritage. Southsea Sub-Aqua Club has adopted the Tanks & Bulldozers wreck site under the Nautical Archaeological Society (NAS) Adopt a Wreck Scheme and will continue to monitor the site in the coming years.
The British Sub-Aqua Jubilee Trust - Registered Charity No. 275853 R
The Jubilee Trust is the official charity of the British Sub-Aqua Club. It was set up in 1977, the Queen's Silver Jubilee Year, with the main objective of providing financial support to divers for a wide variety of projects. These projects would fall beyond the scope and financial resources of normal Branch and local club activities. For more information visit - http://www.bsac.com/page.asp?section=1913§ionTitle=BSA+Jubilee+Trust
Silent Planet Ltd.
UK distrubtor for Halcyon DIR diving equipment, Turtle Fins and supplier of other high quality diving equipment. http://www.silentplanet.info/index.htm
Nautical Archaeological Society - Adopt A Wreck Scheme
Further details of the Adopt A Wreck scheme can be found on the Projects section f the NAS web site - http://www.nauticalarchaeologysociety.org/ |
