Mystery wreck remains a mystery :-(
06 June 2010
After last weekend's diving plans were blown out by strong North Sea winds and heavy seas we were out again today 5 miles off Inverbervie in a Force 4 to try and identify the uncharted wreck of a big Strath Class steam trawler rammed and sunk in WWII whilst minesweeping. Although a trawler she is in reality a small steamship complete with large engine room and large triple expansion engine with catwalks around it sitting on an even keel in 56 metres.
We visited this wreck last May when it was structurally intact - but were surprised to find today that the bridge superstructure has been trawled into and almost pulled right off. The wheelhouse is now broken up and hanging almost over the starboard side of the hull. The helm and compass can still be seen and the telegraph with its white enamel face bearing the words "Mechan's, Scotstoun, Glasgow" has been turned upside down by whatever happened.
The ship which used to sit on an even keel also now seems to have rolled over somewhat and developed a pronounced list to starboard.
Today's project was to find some definate clue to her identity but after a good look through the bridge wreckage we were unable to find anything that would conclusively identify her - like the bell or maker's plate. We will not visit this wreck again and I will leave it to the next generation of divers to make that positive ID.
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