WRECK OF WWI SUB DISCOVERED

The wreck of the British WWI E-Class submarine HMAS E18 has been found off the coast of Estonia by Swedish marine survey company Marin Matteknik (MMT) that had been searching for it for the past 10 years. The sub had been launched in 1915 and she was sent to the Baltic Sea to help Russia stop German shipments of iron ore from Sweden. The sub had a crew of 33 who all perished when it sank. The wreck was found 140km west of Tallinn, near the island of Hiiumaa, during October. The wreck of the E18 was found in fairly good shape. Her port side was damaged and she suffered further minor damages elsewhere.
According to “The Encyclopedia of Ships”, 55 E-Class submarines were built between 1913 & 1916. 22 of them were lost during WWI. They were 55m long, had two screws, diesel engines and two electric motors. The history of the E18 is available through Wikipedia at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_E18 . According to the web page found at http://www.daylife.com/photo/0aYof5f7us4LQ, the British naval submarine HMS E18 has been found on the seabed close to the Estonian island of Dago after having been missing for over 90 years. The submarine disappeared with all hands in the Baltic Sea during routine exercises in May 1916. Carl Douglas, the leader of search operations and owner of MMT, was able to locate the vessel with the help of maps detailing the location of mines on the Baltic Sea sea bed. A YouTube video can be seen at www.youtube.com/watch?v=IF8QcB_u6m0 .

HMAS Canberra is set to be scuttled

Tourism Victoria says "The ex HMAS Canberra is set to be scuttled off the shores east of Barwon Heads this weekend on Sunday 4 October 2009 at approximately 9.15 am. Suitable weather conditions have been forecast and the vessel will begin its final journey leaving the Geelong Port on Saturday 3 October. You will be able to see this once in a lifetime event on the shores between Barwon Heads and Ocean Grove, however please note that no commemorative event will be held on the day. An event to celebrate the opening of the new dive site is planned in future. Stakeholders will be notified in advance."

NEW SHIPWRECK BOOK

The web page found at http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,26125735-5006301,00.html suggests that Peter Christopher’s new book "Australian Shipwrecks - A Pictorial History" should now be available wherever good books are sold.

HMAS Adelaide to be scuttled off NSW

The ex-HMAS Adelaide will soon be scuttled off NSW. This is the ship which helped in the rescue of English yachtsman, Tony Bullimore years ago.

RECENT WRECK DISCOVERIES

Whilst several ex-Navy vessels are being scuttled as artificial reefs, new technology is helping in the discovery of lost shipwrecks. Some recent discoveries are as follows: -
THE GLENELG
The Glenelg shipwreck has been found off Victoria's east coast 109 years after 31 people drowned when it mysteriously sank.
SUBMARINE S-2
The Soviet submarine S-2, which sank in the Baltic Sea during WW2, was found by a team of divers in February this year.
CITY OF RAYVILLE
The wreck of the City of Rayville, which sank off Victoria during WW2, was pinpointed during recent mapping of the sea floor by Deakin University. The ship was a US vessel that was lost off of Cape Otway after striking a German mine on 8th November 1940. She was carrying a cargo of lead, wool and copper from SA to New York, via Melbourne. She was the first US ship to be sunk during WW2. Her approximate position had been known since 2002, but the Deakin Uni team found the exact position whilst using state of the art sonar equipment.
FREMANTLE
Three recreational divers, including Graeme Henderson from the WA Museum, recently found what appears to be the 115-year old wreck of the dredge Fremantle was off of the WA coast. The Fremantle was used to create Fremantle harbour.
IDA
Recent storms uncovered remnants of the brig Ida which ran aground at Port Willunga in January 1857.

buoys have been positioned in preparation of scuttling of ex- HMAS Canberra

The previously scheduled scuttling of the ex-HMAS Canberra for 12 September 2009 was postponed due to unfavourable weather conditions. The scuttling will be rescheduled to a date with suitable weather conditions as soon as possible. 3 buoys have been positioned approximately 2nm south of Ocean Grove in preparation for the scuttling. The buoys are located in the approximate positions;
1. 38° 18′056″ S, 144° 32′607″ E- Marked with red soft buoy.
2. 38° 17′829″ S, 144° 32′574″ E- Marked with orange soft buoy and has rope coil on surface.
3. 38° 17′827″ S, 144° 32′655″ E- Marked with orange soft buoy and has rope coil on surface.
An isolated danger mark 38° 17′827″ S, 144° 32′615″ E with yellow light (3 sec flash) placed between buoys 2 and 3.
It is recommended that all vessels take caution at approximately 75m from the isolated danger mark. Source: http://www.hmascanberra.com.au/itn-20090911.htm.
Tthe ex HMAS Canberra Reef Location is approximately 2-3km offshore from the dune coastline of Ocean Grove (4.2 km from the mouth of the Barwon River, & 6.2 km from Point Lonsdale).

SOURCE OF LARGE ANCHOR AT PORT NOARLUNGA IDENTIFIED

An announcement is imminent from Christopher Deane regarding 'Positive Photographic Proof' about the source of the large anchor at Port Noarlunga reef. Stay tuned!