Incredible lost WW1 shipwreck found off UK coast and one thing has left divers stunned
The HMS Hawke sank in 1914, and has only now been discovered near the Aberdeenshire coast.
A long-lost Royal Navy warship from World War One has been discovered off the coast of Aberdeenshire, and its remarkable condition has left divers astonished.
The wreck, believed to be HMS Hawke, was found about 70 miles east of Fraserburgh by a team of divers from the Lost in Waters Deep group, a project dedicated to uncovering wartime shipwrecks in Scottish waters.
HMS Hawke, a 387-foot Edgar-class protected cruiser, was torpedoed by a German U-boat in October 1914, leading to the tragic loss of over 500 crew members.
The ship sank in less than eight minutes, with only 70 sailors surviving the attack. Despite being submerged for over a century, the wreck is in surprisingly good condition, offering a haunting glimpse into the past.
The discovery was made at a depth of 360 feet, and the Royal Navy is expected to formally identify the wreckage in the coming weeks.
Diver Steve Mortimer, who is part of the team, described the extensive research and effort that led to the find, including analyzing historical data from U-boat commanders' journals and Navy cruiser logs.
"It took years of research, but the actual time on the ground was just a few hours," Mortimer explained.
Upon exploring the site, the dive team found that much of the ship's teak decking was still intact, along with numerous guns and even Royal Navy crockery.
"Lots of the decking is still in place", Mortimer said. "There's a wonderful captain's walkway around the back of the stern, and lots of the portholes are still open."
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He added that the wreck's location, in an area of the sea with few nutrients, has helped preserve it from being eaten away by organisms.
Mortimer was particularly struck by how well-preserved the interior of the ship is, describing it as "a really remarkable time capsule".
"You can look into the portholes and see rooms with artefacts – teacups, bowls, and plates just there on the floor", he said.