The discovery of the "Mars"

Richard Lundgren’s presentation at OZTeK2013 OZTeK - Tek Diving Conference deals with what has become one of the world’s most interesting archeological wreck sites, the discovery of Mars the Magnificent (one that rivals the finding of the Vasa) the largest and most modern warship of its time. With its intimidating dimensions and previously unseen numbers of canons Mars struck fear in any opposing foe. In 1564 Mars led Erik XIV armada of warship in a bold attempt to crush the Danish and Lybish fleets thus ending the Danish dominium of the seas. A brutal naval battle ended in the loss of Mars and more than 1000 braves, Swedes, Danes and Lybish. Richard Lundgren says, "This will be a new presentation with new never before presented materials, illustrations, 3-D models, photos, photomosaic and videos. All in a special OZTeK presentation."

The story of HMS Hermes

Warrick McDonald’s presentation at OZTeK2013, OZTeK - Tek Diving Conference, "Lost Souls at Sea", tells the story of HMS Hermes. On the 9th of April 1942, calamity struck HMAS Vampire and HMS Hermes off the coast of Sri Lanka in the form of 30 + Japanese bombers. After the raid was over, 315 British and Australian sailors were dead and wreckage littered the sea. HMS Hermes lying on its side at 52m is now the graveyard for most of these courageous men. The Vampire is yet to be confirmed as found, although a wreck recently discovered a few kilometres away may solve the mystery of its whereabouts.

Rainbow Warrior anniversary

25 YEARS AGO, Greenpeace’s first Rainbow Warrior ship was towed to the Cavalli Islands to be sunk as an artificial reef and dive wreck on 14th December 1987. The Rainbow Warrior was blown-up whilst docked in Auckland harbour in New Zealand on 10th July 1985. The ship was being prepared for a protest voyage to Moruroa Atoll over French nuclear testing. French Secret Service agents planted two bombs on the ship. The Rainbow Warrior is now a popular dive site at the Cavalli Islands to the north of the Bay of Islands in northern New Zealand. The wreck had been refloated in Aukland Harbour prior to being towed to the Cavalli Islands in 1987 to be re-sunk.

JAPANESE MIDGET SUBMARINE (M24)

Channel 7 TV’s “Sunday Night” program featured a report about the Japanese Type A midget submarine M24 last month. Details can be found at http://au.news.yahoo.com/sunday-night/features/article/-/15094316/mystery-of-the-deep/ . A video can be viewed at http://au.tv.yahoo.com/video/-/watch/30860247/inside-the-midget-subs/ . A photo gallery can be found at http://au.news.yahoo.com/sunday-night/galleries/article/-/15094965/1/mystery-under-the-sea/. An associated blog can be found at http://au.news.yahoo.com/sunday-night/blogs/article/-/15114861/managing-a-japanese-midget-submarine-m24/ . Also visit the web page found at http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/M24/index.htm .

CITY OF ADELAIDE’S RUDDER NOW ON ITS WAY TO SOUTH AUSTRALIA

The City Of Adelaide’s huge 9m-long, two-tonne rudder will arrive in Port Adelaide next month. Peter Christopher says that the rudder will be taken on a tour of South Australia. “It will give people an idea of the dimensions of the 1864 ship which carried migrants to South Australia. This is a most significant step in the return of the ship (itself) to Adelaide. In view of delays, beyond our control, in Scotland relating to lifting the ship, the . . . rudder will provide South Australians with their first look at this historic artefact, and give a sense of scale," he said. The rudder was built at Port Adelaide from local timbers - a replacement for the original which was damaged on a voyage from the United Kingdom in 1874. The City of Adelaide was built in 1864 to carry passengers and cargo to Adelaide.