In February 1958 it was announced in Parliament by the First Lord of the Admiralty that Portland Dockyard was to close the following year (though the naval base would be retained). +44(0)1305824555info@underwaterexplorers.co.uk VIDEOS ABOUT US | CONTACT HOME BLOG SALES In-store Sales Our Brands Santi Diving Go Shop online Online However, it is tidal. In addition to Hood, there are other dive wrecks around the harbour: The harbour and dockyard has various buildings and structures that are Grade Listed. [10] The breakwaters were declared complete by HRH Edward the Prince of Wales on 10 August 1872. It is naturally protected by Portland to the south, Chesil Beach to the west and mainland Dorset to the north. sites in the waters around Portland ranging from Lulworth? The commercial port has expanded since its initial establishment; the Britannia Passenger Terminal was opened by HRH Prince Philip on 14 July 1999. [40] Following this, RNAS Portland also closed in October 1999. WebDONATE. As planned, Portland's Royal Dockyard closed in 1959, but the Naval Base remained open 'in support of the local establishments and H.M. ships using the harbour'. [50], East Weare Battery was built in the 1860s to protect the harbour. The Dredger (Breakwater wall down to 12m). Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. Today, Salsette lies on her port side in 45m with her starboard rail around 32m. The second of only two Victoria Crosses awarded for action in the United Kingdom was posthumously bestowed on Jack Foreman Mantle, who died at his post on the ship. SMB and Torch Highly Recommended. This is definitely one dive you could do over and over again! These new facilities have been identified as part of a master plan and business strategy developed by Portland Port. [5], Because the stability of a ship is largely due to freeboard at high rolling angles, she was given a larger metacentric height (the vertical distance between the metacenter and the centre of gravity below it) of around 4.1 feet (1.2m) instead of the 3.6 feet (1.1m) of the rest of the Royal Sovereigns to make her roll less in rough seas. Please click here to go to the Home page and here to go to the Navigation page, Please click on the name of a ship to see pictures of that shipwreck. Sunk in December 1944. This British submarine was sunk as a target after colliding with the HMS Hazard. She stands 15 metres and is a huge wreck with her bows broken off and amid ship and stern listing Starboard. WebFate: Sunk 04 November 1914 as a blockship for southern entrance to Portland Harbour, designed to stop U-boats entering or firing torpedoes into Channel Fleet anchorage. Formerly the Marie this iron wreck ship was sunk by a German submarine in May 1917. WebThis is a documentation and monitoring programme to survey underwater sites around Weymouth and Portland, including the wrecks of Portland Harbo Private Only members can see who's in the group and what they post. The Bombardon Unit is a star shaped barges with lots of hatches. WebA significant number of UB-40s sinkings were in Dorset waters, including the LH Carl, sunk on the same day. It is an interesting dive that leads to the wheel house and exposed engine at the stern. [2] The Royal Sovereigns had reverted to a higher freeboard after several classes of low-freeboard vessel had been constructed, the last being the Trafalgar class. A Swedish steamship which sank off the Cave Hole on Portland in 1882. [31] In July 1940, the anti-aircraft ship HMS Foylebank was attacked by Stuka dive-bombers and sank in the harbour. She was built in the early 1880s and the conversion took place 1889. Dutch steamship of 6800 tons mined and sunk in 1939 just East of the adamant shoal, approximately 500 long. This is the areas most interesting and colourful shore dive but is tide dependent. Youll find vast information on Portland dive sites from local boat operators. the ss bournemouth wrecked on rocks near portland bill 1886. all 160 passengers were rescued. [71][72] Further along the arm is a 29 millimetre spigot mortar emplacement. In October 2007 work commenced on a new marina and recreational boating facility. Aside from the training of Royal Navy ships, many ships of NATO countries also trained and frequented at the harbour. Youll find vast information on Portland dive sites from local boat operators. [52] East Weare Camp is Grade II Listed. This is a very rewarding dive with depths ranging from 16 to 25 metres maximum. The armour of the main-deck casemates was 6 inches thick and that of the forward conning tower was 14 inches thick. The liberation of Europe in 1945 was marked by a local ceremony in August that year, with the American Ambassador John D. Winant unveiling a stone in Victoria Gardens commemorating the harbour's efforts. [19], The ship's bell was later used as one of at least two bells [23] on the battlecruiser HMSHood. bournemouth. A well-broken steamship of about 2000 tons standing 6 metres off the sea bed. Measuring 200 in length it was partly salvaged. The port is used by all nature of vessels from commercial ships such as bulkers, tankers, container carriers car carriers, survey and Reefers etc. [16] Thereafter, the squadron maintained order on Crete until the island's status finally was resolved by the evacuation of all Ottoman Army forces from Crete in November 1898 and the establishment of an autonomous Cretan State under Ottoman suzerainty in December 1898. About 190203 the 6-pounders on the main deck were removed; two were remounted on the superstructure, but the other two were not replaced. With a long maritime history, the Portland coastline and harbour has seen many kinds of ships sail through its waters. For details and photos visit our COUNTESS OF ERNE page. Websince 2010 for the Portland Harbor site, to evaluate natural resource injuries incurred over time in areas contaminated with hazardous substances (such as DDT, PCBs, and others), and oil. The battleship Russell relieved Hood on 28 September 1904. She went first to Malta for temporary repairs, then on to England for permanent repairs at Chatham Dockyard, using her twin screws to steer for the entire voyage. TREGUIER TO LE HAVRE. Having defied an 11-month salvage attempt after its sinking, this undamaged and unique wreck has become a popular dive site in the waters of Lyme Bay. [49] At the south-west end of Prince Consort Walk is a carved commemorative stone for the completion of the breakwaters in 1872. This 4500 ton Greek steamship was mined in November 1939 during its voyage to Antwerp. 18 in June 1914,[21] before being placed on the sale list in August 1914. As part of the NRDA process, separate from the EPA cleanup process, NOAA and its co-trustees are conducting an injury assessment at the site. Maximum depth is about 6 to 7 metres depending on the state of the tide. This can be an exciting dive is planned correctly but divers should be aware that an outward tide will rapidly move them towards the eddy race after Grove point and beside Portland Bill. This 6010 ton ship was launched in 1870 named Invincible and operated for some time as the Erebus. On descending, follow the wall down until you reach the gravel and sandy bottom at about 18 metres. The King, Prime Minister Churchill and Free French leader Gen. de Gaulle came to see the great D-Day preparations at Portland when the harbour's activity was continuous. It is badly broken up with large pieces of machinery present and lying in a rock shingle sea bed. Portland Harbour is home to several sites for wreck-dives, and STUART PHILPOTT never tires of exploring one of the most popular. [47], The harbour is a popular location for wind surfing, wreck diving and sailing. SUNK BY COLLISION WITH A TORPEDO DESTROYER IN PORTLAND ROADS. If you want to shore dive instead, check out our guide to Chesil Cove. As part of the NRDA process, separate from the EPA cleanup process, NOAA and its co-trustees are conducting an injury assessment at the site. This small 127 ton ton motor stands 3 to 4 metres high in some areas and was carrying China clay when she sank after hitting an obstruction in September 1930. If youre looking for local, recreational diving, whether it be wrecks, reefs or drift, check out the Dive Sites From Jurassic Aquasports, travelling to the sites direct fromPortlandMarina either by a catamaran hard boat (with diver lift) or an RHIB for smaller groups. THERE IS CONFUSION IN THE ARCHIVE WHETHER SOME OF THESE PICTURES COULD BE EITHER THE PATRIA OR THE ANN MARIA, PATROCLUS CAME ASHORE AT BORROWHILL PORTLAND 19 SEPTEMBER 1907, SALVAGING THE SS PATROCLUS SEPTEMBER 20TH 1907, ELEVEN PUMPS AT WORK TO REFLOAT HER. The development is designed to increase berthing opportunities and provide more operational land. This is on the outside of the breakwater and just around the corner from the Fort. Construction of the harbour began in 1849; when completed in 1872, its 520-hectare (1,300-acre) surface area made it the largest man-made harbour in the world, and remains one of the largest in the world today. General History Group created on November 15, 2013. [11] Part of the Falklands War task force sailed from Portland in 1982. It covered the middle 250 feet (76.2m) of the ship and was 8.5 feet (2.6m) high of which 5feet 6inches (1.7m) was below the waterline at normal load. Topedoed by a German sub in December 1944, towed into Worbarrow and beached. Hood was placed into reserve at Devonport on 3 January 1905, where she remained until February 1907. In 2003 the academy was able to start redevelopment of the site. At times this area is used by local and visiting dive schools to conduct recreational deep dive training where standards require a depth deeper than 18 metres. A purpose-built pier projecting into the harbour from the factory was used for torpedo testing and practice firing. [32] In 1940-41, the Portland Naval Communication Headquarters was constructed, built into the hillside at the rear of the dockyard. By the First World War the 12-pounder guns had been removed and replaced with a 6-inch breech-loading (BL) Mk. A major government project, the construction work had become Dorset's greatest tourist attraction of its time. The original harbour was naturally protected by the south coast of England, Chesil Beach and the Isle of Portland, providing refuge for ships against weather in all directions except east. In recent years the number of cruise ship calls have increased at the port. AN ACCOUNT OF THIS WRECK CAN BE READ BY CLICKING HERE. The stern is complete and amidship there is an engine and boiler. This 80 MFV was last heard of in 1974 and all crew were lost. Advertisement. [14] She arrived at Malta on 3 July 1893, relieving the battleship Colossus. She was replaced by HMS Boscawen in 1866 (following Britannia's relocation to Dartmouth). [68] During World War II a petroleum warfare site consisting of four flame throwers were located on 'A' Head. WebA significant number of UB-40s sinkings were in Dorset waters, including the LH Carl, sunk on the same day. Black Hawk (Bow). It is badly silted and fairly broken up but is full of marine life. There are recent attempts to salvage her and the conning tower. C E HEINKE AND COs DIVING APPARATUS WAS USED IN THE SUCCESSFUL SALVAGE OPERATIONS. Better still, the premises boasts a number of additional facilities from rinsing showers to drying rooms, toilets and excellent cafe, even on-site accommodation if you want to stay local. Like her sisters, the ship was fitted with seven 18-inch torpedo tubes. [44] The breakwaters lead to a restricted water exchange which in turn leads to elevated water temperatures; several marine species inhabit the harbour beyond the typical northern limits of their range. The exhibit explores efforts to prevent disaster through the development of lighthouses and other aids to navigation. WebPortland Harbour offers half a dozen of wreck sites, one of the most popular and intact of these is the Countess Of Erne ~ one of the most popular Portland Harbour wreck sites, Depth Max 16m. CARGO IRON ORE. A number of wrecks lie both inside and immediately outside the breakwater walls attracting hundreds of divers every year. [26], The development of both the torpedo and the submarine led to Portland Harbour becoming a centre for research into underwater warfare, beginning with the establishment of Robert Whitehead's Torpedo Works at Wyke Regis in 1891. There are items of unexploded ammunition on her including depth charges. CARGO WAS TIMBER. Dropping off a boat to the left of the Hood exit from Portland harbour in outgoing tide will carry divers across a seabed scattered with shells, crabs and during the summer months much exotic sea life including a variety of nudibranches. In May 1896, Hood steamed from Malta to Crete to protect British interests and subjects there during unrest among Cretan Greeks who opposed the Ottoman Empires rule of the island. Her wreck became known as "Old Hole in the Wall". This site is right inside of the harbour close to the Hood entrance and can offer an excitingly good drift dive but in poor visibility and weather conditions, must be done with a torch. One of the most popular boat dives from Portland this submarine is an official War Grave. Partly salvaged, lies on a sand sea bed. For the port in Maine, see, Creation of harbour of refuge (18441872), Post-war role and closure of naval base (1946-1995), Admiralty Underwater Weapons Establishment, Portland Naval Communication Headquarters, Admiralty Underwater Weapons Establishment (AUWE), Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy, "Sandsfoot Castle, Weymouth and Portland (1020062)", "The Jurassic Coast - Portland and Weymouth", "Historic England Grade II listing: Dockyard Offices", "Isle of Portland Quarries - Geology by Ian West", "Details from listed building database (1021435)", "East Weare rifle range, Portland (1428958)", "Portland historian Stuart Morris on the importance of the Portland Breakwater Lighthouse", "Historic England Grade II listing: Inner and outer breakwater", "Digitally Copied Navy Lists available on line", "Danger UXB Portland's World War 2 UneXploded Bomb | Dorset Life - The Dorset Magazine", "WW2 People's War - H.M.S. This German submarine was sunk in October 1917 and lies on a north to south line, with a hole in her port side and a list to starboard. Entering at the end of the promenade and walking down the stairs to the beach, on the other hand, should take divers to a defunct old sewage pipeline which still attracts much sea life provided they take a bearing of 270 degrees. The port's aim was of developing the ship repair, leisure and tourism potential of the harbour. A small Admirality trawler only 123 long that went aground on Blacknor Point in March 1920 in thick fog, slid off and sank there. Other causes of shipwrecks include mechanical failure and rough coastal weather on unforgiving rocky shores. As above but the stern lies on her starboard side with the prop missing and on a gravel, shingle and sand sea bed. Slack water is +1/2 hours HW Portland or -4 Hours HW Portland. The wreckage is pretty much broken up. James Fennel (18m). There are many shallow and deep? as well as the dozens of hermit and spider crabs. Visible Anyone can find this group. Mined in June 1940, all that remains is the well-scattered remains of the bow section of this Britich oil tanker of 7101 tons. [11] As a measure against submarine attack, the battleship HMS Hood was scuttled across the harbour's southern entrance in 1914. [4] During the 20th century the harbour increasingly became an naval oiling depot and, beginning in the early 1900s, the tidal creek the Mere began to be filled in for a vast tank farm. In 1924, Portland's Anti-Submarine School (having been consolidated with similar units from HMS Vernon and HM Signal School, Portsmouth) was commissioned as HMS Osprey, becoming an independent shore command. SHORE: Chesil Cove (day and night), the Adelaide & Nor (day), Newtons Cove (night). [75] Additionally there is a World War I battery observation post. [67] A World War I torpedo station was also located on 'A' Head, using two 18 inch torpedo tubes which were operational from 1915 until 1918. [8] During 1848, HM Prison Portland was established to provide convict labour to quarry the stone needed to construct the breakwaters and the harbour defences. Ideal for individuals, buddy pairs, groups and schools, Dive Beyond is based at the back of Hotel Aqua and adjacent to a Council car park which makes the trip even more convenient. At the Breakwater Fort is a World War II 29 millimetre spigot mortar emplacement,[62] a pillbox,[63] and a battery observation post. MYRTLEDENE RAN ASHORE ON MARCH 25TH 1912 THIS SHIP WAS OFFERED FOR SALE WITH ITS CARGO OF IRON ORE FOR 100, BUT NEVER SOLD. WebIn total, 418,585 troops and 144,093 vehicles would embark from Portland and Weymouth Harbours. WebDespite weather warnings (which the captain may or may not have received), the ship headed northeast out of the harbor on a track to Portland, Maine. [3], The lower freeboard was required by her use of armoured gun turretsa heavy type of rotating gun mounting of the mid-and-late 19th century very different from what would later be known as "turrets". WebStrong ebb currents pushing against the opposing forces of the ocean can build enormous swells in a very short time, threatening to overcome unprepared ships crossing the river bars. Commercial dive boats and club boats launching from harbour. Hood, the last of the eight Royal Sovereign-class battleships to be built, differed significantly from the other ships of her class in that she had a forward freeboard of only 11feet 3inches (3.43m) compared to 19feet 6inches (5.94m) of the other ships. She stands about 13 metres throughout with her bows to the South and stern to the North. [4], Hood's protection used both compound armour and nickel steel armour. [20] In 1905, the Portland Breakwater Lighthouse was erected on the southern end of northeast breakwater, where it continues to operate today.[21]. [87], Coordinates: .mw-parser-output .geo-default,.mw-parser-output .geo-dms,.mw-parser-output .geo-dec{display:inline}.mw-parser-output .geo-nondefault,.mw-parser-output .geo-multi-punct{display:none}.mw-parser-output .longitude,.mw-parser-output .latitude{white-space:nowrap}503506N 22642W / 50.585N 2.445W / 50.585; -2.445. Having defied an 11-month salvage attempt after its sinking, this undamaged and unique wreck has become a popular dive site in the waters of Lyme Bay. Repairs took only two days, and the ship left Sheerness for the Mediterranean on 18 June 1893. This article is about the harbour in England. PORTLAND, Ore. A driver died after crashing on NE Marine Drive early Monday morning, according to Portland police. She stands 8 metres high in some places. While anchored in Portland harbour she was struck in June 1940 by bombs dropped from a German aircraft and sank there. One vessel which experienced more than her fair share of bad luck was the Preveza. [46], In April 2023, the Government of the United Kingdom announced that it planned to moor the Bibby Stockholm at Portland Port to house asylum seekers. In the past this wreck was called both the HMS Hazard and the HMS Bittern. She is approximately 240 long and with a 29 beam she lies upright on the bottom making an excellent dive for novice and experienced alike. Despite her 1914 scuttling, the Royal Navy included Hood on its sale list in both 1916 and 1917. The squadron, which formed in February 1897, bombarded insurgent forces, put sailors and marines ashore to occupy key cities, and blockaded Crete and key ports in Greece, actions which brought organized fighting on the island to an end by late March 1897. Websince 2010 for the Portland Harbor site, to evaluate natural resource injuries incurred over time in areas contaminated with hazardous substances (such as DDT, PCBs, and others), and oil. WebThe Portland Harbor Museum's exhibit presents the variety of shipwreck causes, both man-made and natural that occurred over the years. The wreck, carrying a general government cargo, sits upright on the bottom. WebDespite weather warnings (which the captain may or may not have received), the ship headed northeast out of the harbor on a track to Portland, Maine. Torch Recommended. Frequent visitor John Liddiard reveals his route. the ss bournemouth wrecked on rocks near portland bill 1886. all 160 passengers were rescued. In 1946, Hoverfly R-4Bs began operating from the base's playing fields, which were transformed into a landing ground. The ground varies from ledges to very rocky undulating ground. Has plenty of marine life and is well broken up with only the ribs and plates showing with its highest point about 2 metres off the sea bed. During World War II a number of anti-invasion structures were placed at Balaclava Bay, including an anti boat landing obstacle,[81] and a minefield. Although mortally wounded he continued to fire his gun against the attackers until he died. The top is in 36 metres of water. Tide flow in this area can give divers a drift of up to 2 knots. She differed from the other ships of the class in that she had cylindrical gun turrets instead of barbettes and a lower freeboard. This is a 1500 ton Norwegian steamship, torpedoed in May 1918. [24] Before being installed on the battlecruiser, the bell was inscribed around the base with the words: "This bell was preserved from HMS Hood battleship 18911914 by the late rear admiral, The Honourable Sir Horace Hood KCB, DSO, MVO killed at Jutland on 31st May 1916. Today, Salsette lies on her port side in 45m with her starboard rail around 32m. MADELAINE (MAGDALENE) TRISTAN BEACHED AT CHESIL COVE SEPTEMBER 1930 FRENCH SCHOONER OF LORIENT. It is believed there have been at least 1,000 shipwrecks along the Dorset coast over the centuries. The repairs began after she paid off on 5 December 1902 and she transferred to Devonport for a refit upon their completion. Portland Harbour (2 to 19m) represents a semi-artificial deep water tidal basin enclosed by breakwaters. The Britannia Cruise Terminal, which was opened in July 1999 and again refurbished in 2005 has seen the likes of Royal Caribbean, Azamara, Club Cruises, Saga and Crystal Cruises use it as a start point for excursions in the wider Dorset region and beyond. This 3000 ton Spanish steamship dragged her anchor in a Force 9 gale in December 1900 and was grounded on the rocks close to the Breakwater where she slipped and eventually sank. Chequered Fort (18m). Going out on a bearing of 240 degrees right under slipway can be rewarding and lead to depths in excess of 17 to 18 metres. She took part in combined exercises of the Channel Fleet, Mediterranean Fleet, and Home Fleet off the coast of Portugal from 5 to 9 August 1903. [33], On 1 May 1944, the harbour was commissioned as USNAAB Portland-Weymouth. This 1274 British armed steamship measures 230 by 34 and was torbedoed and sunk by a German submarine in October 1917. This 1154 iron sailing ship collided with the Forrest before sinking. [19] Subsequently, she was photographed in dry dock at Portsmouth by the crew of Naval Airship No. A NORWEGIAN BARQUE (GRIMSTAD) GT 607. Commercial dive boats and club boats launching from harbour. [24] Onshore amenities included a range of storehouses, workshops and office buildings. [7], Hood had an overall length of 410feet 6inches (125.1m), a beam of 75 feet (22.9m), and a draught of 28feet 6inches (8.7m) at deep load. [5] Prompted by the expansion of the French naval port of Cherbourg, just across the Channel, the Royal Navy established a base at Portland in 1845 and a scheme for the harbour to be transformed into a refuge was granted parliamentary approval the year before. Eight water-tube boilers provided steam to the engines, which produced a maximum of 11,000 indicated horsepower (8,200kW) when forced. WebHarbour Wrecks Easily accessibly via Dive Boats shuttling out of Portland Marina and Castletown these wrecks are shallower than 20m and can be dived on all state of tides. The M2 is a one-of-a-kind submarine aircraft carrier which sank off Portland in 1932 during routine exercises (see panel).
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