| SS Exmouth |
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Type: Freighter
Picture:
Wreck Information : She was sunk by the U22 a coastal submarine or strayed into the British Defensive Minefield. The Exmouth is lying upright and intact in a West - East orientation in general depths of 53m with the Bridge area at 38m. The Bow is Broken and lying over to Starboard and has three Guns, what looks like a large Caliber weapon and two machine Guns. Below the Bridge Area, off the Starboard side and on the seabed was a 'Gun Tub' with what looked like an Oerlikon or 20mm cannon, at the rear of the Bridge on the Port Side was a matching intact tub complete with Net Covered Gun. Moving forward into the Bridge itself the Compass Binnacle , Steering Pedestal and Telegraphs were found still in place. There were Portholes everywhere, and some large Bakelite Batteries stamped 'Titan Radio'. With another two guns on the Stern she looked very well armed and more modern than we had expected. ( see U/W pictures)
Harbour / slip:
Parking
directions: At the harbour
Distance from harbour: 30 miles and about 3 hours.
Lat / Long: 58°18'.466 N 002°28'.940 W
Chart:
Depth: 53m to the sea bed
Tides:
Diveboat: Marinequest
Diveshop: Edinburgh dive centre Aquastars
Accommodation: Marinequest
Suggested experience: Trimix
Other comments: The first divers on the wreck were Steve Adams, Shane Wasik, Ross Coventry, Tina Aydon, Jeremy Cameron, Neil Masson, Warren Izzett, Gordon Meek and John Nicolson
Created by: John Nicolson
Date: 9/8/08
Thanks To: Stevie and Ross for the weck ID and the Pictures.
Underwater photos:
..............................Compass binnacle
Wreck diagram:
Back to Finstrokes ......... Back to divesites
Dive Report: Stevie 8/8/08 As usual Iain and Jim shotted her first time and we dropped in to secure the Deco Staion closely followed by Neil and Jer on their Zeps...so jealous.. we could see her from about 25m...great vis...she was lying upright and intact in a west - east orientation in general depths of 53m (56m when it was a big swell) she has collapsed on her starboard side so the Port side Bridge area is at 39-40m at an angle of maybe 40 degrees...bit odd to see Open Holds when we were expecting tanks, and on the seabed we noticed a Gun Tub with what looked like an Oerlikon or 20mm cannon...hmmm up to the Bridge area and there was the Port Gun Tub intact with Gun...in the Bridge was the Compass Binnacle and Steering Pedestal and Telegraphs/....portholes everywhere we lifted them out and left them for the others to see.
Dive Report: John Nicolson 8/8/08 Superb wreck in over 20m viz going by the brass and plates on the wreck I dont think she has been dived. A great dive with marinquest from Eyemouth, so its all still there
Dive Report: Shads 19/8/10 The shot went in and we kitted up before dropping in to some fantastic visibility – descending the line we can make out the top of the Exmouth easily as we drop beyond the 20 meter mark, I attached a strobe but we would hardly need it with visibility this good! We made off past the Bridge towards bow section which lies on her s’board side rising up from the seabed like a block of flats, pretty impressive sight. The bow gun lies inside a tub with anchor chains and winches all in place. We did a circuit around the bow before heading back to the break in the hull section where the bow had split from the main wreck. We entered the wreck and penetrated through the holds which did not appear to have any thing inside up to the engine room. Lights complete with bulbs and covers, engine and gauges all in place. Pushing further on towards the stern we eventually emerged through the rear hold up onto deck level once more. The stern steering gear and econdary wheel in place and I took up position behind the wheel for a photo opportunity, I could just vision driving the Exmouth along the sea-bed. Later Jo wished she had handed me the camera for a similair photo of her on the steering wheel but I pointed out that she would never be able to park something that size being a girl! Im sure the bruising will fade in a few weeks! We headed back to the shot as we had accumulated over an hour of stops at that point but we just couldn’t leave yet and opted to take the deco penalty for another 5mins bottom time. On to the bridge to get some close up shots of the compass binnacle, crockery complete with shipping logo and other artefacts. Our bottom time of 50minutes now forced us back to the shot and we started our ascent, first stop at 30 meters and the top of the wreck is only just below us giving a great last sight of her as we make our long slow way back to the surface.
Dive Report: