ASTONISHING new images of the HMS Vanguard have been released 100 years after it sank with the loss of 843 lives.
The battleship was at anchor in Scapa Flow, Orkney, when an internal explosion occurred in July 1917, sinking it almost instantly. Just two men survived and the incident, which was not triggered by enemy fire, remains one of the worst losses in the Royal Navy.
Now divers are conducting an extensive survey of the protected site under special licence from the Ministry of Defence. The operation, led by Emily Turton and Ben Wade of Orkney dive boat MV Huskyan, hopes to provide a complete photographic and video account of its condition.
It also aims to gain insight into what caused the catastrophic loss.
Turton told The National: “The intention is to capture the scene of the shop at 100 years underwater.
“It is a very special site. I am fascinated by the architecture of the ship and it is incredible to work out what has happened there.
“It is a privilege to explore this site and I feel very emotionally attached to it. I didn’t lose any relatives in the disaster, but there will be people who see these pictures who did, and they are now getting a fuller insight into what happened to their family members.”
Work began at the site, 34m below the surface, in October and will continue into the spring.
Preliminary work by the specialist dive team supports official conclusions about the tragedy, which reports said had probably been caused by an accidental explosion behind the bridge.
Turton said the largest explosion appears to have been located in two turret magazines which have been displaced by around 40m.
She said: “The main wreck is complicated with an extensive debris field. Surprisingly, given the nature of her loss, both the bow and stern are intact despite large pieces of wreckage having been thrown hundreds of metres away.”
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