The Hampshire is a war grave. Unlike the war
graves within the Sound, it is possible to dive her.
She lies nearly upside down in 68 metres and is nearly 500 feet
long. She was surveyed in 1983 and one of her propellers was removed
illegally. This caused a big outcry, until it was removed to Lyness,
Hoy where visitors to the museum can see it on display.
Until recently, her depth meant that she was outside the remit of
most divers. Technical diving has brought attention to her. In his
book Rod McDonald gives an excellent description of diving the Hampshire.
"Diving HMS Hampshire is a profoundly moving experience...
At 65 plus metres to the sea bed this wreck is well and truly in
the realm of the technical diver using trimix. The area is renowned
for its strong currents and the wreck must be dived at slack water,
preferably during the weaker neap tides of the month. Jumping from
the gunnels of the dive-boat into the water your mind races over
the forthcoming dive plan.....
As the descent commences the feel of the dive is completely
different from inside the Flow. The water clarity of the Atlantic
Ocean produces visibility of 15 to 20 metres on average and a deep
blue/black look to the water reminiscent of deep diving in the
Pacific. The upturned wreck looms into sight from some distance
and the scale of the vessel reveals itself.....
The wreck rests on a clean shale sea bed starboard side down
and so the more interesting side of the wreck to explore is the
slightly elevated port side. Very soon the divers' eyes adjust
to the gloom and even at this great depth of 65 metres it soon
becomes unnecessary to use torches and large sections of the wreck
can be easily recognised in the glorious 20m visibility..."
HMS Hampshire is a very moving dive, the depth itself casts
its own spell, the underwater visibility means that large sections
of this vessel can be made out in any direction so it is possible
to grasp the awesome scale of the vessel.." |
