The boat lies on its port side in 18m of quite cold water. The visibility
is usually quite good. The bottom is shaly and pebbly. There is an awful
lot to see and discover. Not only the extensive wreckage but also a lot
of interested sea life. The wrasse are particularly friendly - probably
hoping for a sea urchin meal from a diver. There are enormous horse mussels,
energetic scallops, many sea urchins and a couple of lurking conger.The wreck has been extensively salavaged around the stern. Unrecognisable
wreckage lies strewn all over the sea bed. Wreck ferrets will be in their
element. Towards the bows a more recognisable shape emerges. The bridge
structure is quite intact and the mainmast still lies across the seabed.
On the foredeck there is a well preserved 4 inch gun turret with its
breech mechanism exposed for inspection by the interested diver. Anchor
chains are clearly visible as are the paraphenalia of cleats and capstans.
Near to the F2 (about 40m off the starboard midsection) is a barge that
was used in salvage work. The barge sank in 1968 during a storm.
Inside its hold can be seen one of the anti aircraft guns that was being
salvaged
from the F2 plus a lot of other bits and pieces. If you are the first
pair of divers then it is pleasant to swim into the hold of the barge
and explore. At one end you will see a worktable with a vice on it
plus tool cabinets. There are a couple of passageways. Underneath the
barge
there are quite a few ling and conger.
The water seems particularly cold around the F2. There is a lot to see,
and there are many surprises. A good second dive. |
