Sorry not blogged for a few days but up to my eyes in work.
I'll be back tomorrow with a review of scuba diving in Dubai. Also been reading the preliminary archaeology report regarding the discovery of HMS Victory. More on that by Sunday.
Also, worth checking out Divernet forums where I've been involved in an interesting debate on the buddy system and whether it needs changing.
Check out the thread and let me know what you think. I'll blog about the discussion some other time.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Monday, February 2, 2009
HMS Victory Update
Further details of the discovery of the wreck of man-of-war HMS Victory have been released by deep sea explorers Odyssey Marine Explorers in a press release on their website.
Odyssey said it discovered the wreckage almost 100 km from where the ship was historically believed to have foundered on a reef near the Channel Islands.
Two bronze cannons, including a 12-pounder featuring the royal arms of George II and a 4 ton, 42-pounder bearing the crest of George I. The huge 42-pounder recovered is the only known example of a gun of this type and size currently in existence on dry land.
42-pound bronze cannon being recovered
from the HMS Victory shipwreck
During these operations, evidence was discovered of substantial damage to the site from natural deterioration, scouring, extensive fishing trawl net damage and the intrusion of modern trash and debris.
“Rather than staying frozen in time beneath the waves, this unique shipwreck is fading fast,” warns marine archaeologist Dr. Sean Kingsley, Director of Wreck Watch International.
“The Victory lies in an area of intensive trawling, and her hull and contents are being ploughed away by these bulldozers of the deep day in, day out.
"Leaving the Victory’s rich archaeology so vulnerable to the ravages of man is like allowing a motorway to smash straight through a historic site on land without excavating it.
"The archaeological recovery of the artifacts from the site should begin as soon as possible or the story of England’s most important lost man-of-war may not survive to be told.”
The discovery last Spring Odyssey’s work on the Victory site was filmed for Discovery Channel’s “Treasure Quest” were rolling. It will be shown in the UK on Sunday, February 8 at 9PM.
Odyssey said it discovered the wreckage almost 100 km from where the ship was historically believed to have foundered on a reef near the Channel Islands.
Two bronze cannons, including a 12-pounder featuring the royal arms of George II and a 4 ton, 42-pounder bearing the crest of George I. The huge 42-pounder recovered is the only known example of a gun of this type and size currently in existence on dry land.
42-pound bronze cannon being recovered
from the HMS Victory shipwreck
During these operations, evidence was discovered of substantial damage to the site from natural deterioration, scouring, extensive fishing trawl net damage and the intrusion of modern trash and debris.
“Rather than staying frozen in time beneath the waves, this unique shipwreck is fading fast,” warns marine archaeologist Dr. Sean Kingsley, Director of Wreck Watch International.
“The Victory lies in an area of intensive trawling, and her hull and contents are being ploughed away by these bulldozers of the deep day in, day out.
"Leaving the Victory’s rich archaeology so vulnerable to the ravages of man is like allowing a motorway to smash straight through a historic site on land without excavating it.
"The archaeological recovery of the artifacts from the site should begin as soon as possible or the story of England’s most important lost man-of-war may not survive to be told.”
The discovery last Spring Odyssey’s work on the Victory site was filmed for Discovery Channel’s “Treasure Quest” were rolling. It will be shown in the UK on Sunday, February 8 at 9PM.
A-Z of Wrecks
Talking in the office today about the find of the HMS Victory got us started on an A-Z of wrecks that we have dived. It's a boy thing I know, but here goes:
A - ?
B -The Barg (Red Sea)
C -Countess of Erne (Portland), Carnatic (Red Sea)
D -Dunraven (Rea Sea)
E -?
F - ?
G -Ghiannis D (Red Sea)
H - ?
I - Inchcape (UAE)
J - James Egan Layne (Plymouth)
K - Kimon M (Red Sea)
L -Lesleen M (St Lucia)
M -Marcus (Red Sea), M2 (Plymouth)
N -?
Okay, so it's only 14. But I'm more than half way through the alphabet and at least I know what area of diving I need to focus on this year. Any recommendations for filling in the blanks?
A - ?
B -The Barg (Red Sea)
C -Countess of Erne (Portland), Carnatic (Red Sea)
D -Dunraven (Rea Sea)
E -?
F - ?
G -Ghiannis D (Red Sea)
H - ?
I - Inchcape (UAE)
J - James Egan Layne (Plymouth)
K - Kimon M (Red Sea)
L -Lesleen M (St Lucia)
M -Marcus (Red Sea), M2 (Plymouth)
N -?
O - ?
P - ?
Q - ?
R -Rosalie Moller (Red Sea)
S -Scylla (Plymouth), Stanegarth (Stoney Cove)
T -Thistlegorm (Red Sea)
U -?
V -Victory Wreck (Maldives)
W -?
X -?
Y -?
Z -Zenobia
Okay, so it's only 14. But I'm more than half way through the alphabet and at least I know what area of diving I need to focus on this year. Any recommendations for filling in the blanks?
Sunday, February 1, 2009
HMS Victory wreck found
Interesting news breaking tonight of the Associated Press newswire. Deep-sea explorers have found the legendary British man-of-war HMS Victory that sank in the English Channel 264 years ago.
The wreckage of the HMS Victory, the forerunner to the ship made famous by Lord Nelson, has been found below about 330 feet of water by Odyssey Marine Exploration.
Odyssey co-founder Greg Stemm said: "This is a big one, just because of the history. Very rarely do you solve an age-old mystery like this."
AP reported that two brass cannons had been recovered from the wreck of the ship which was the most heavily armed vessel of its day.
Photo released by Odyssey Marine Exploration
of a Bronze cannon on the shipwreck site of HMS
Victory bearing the royal crest of King George I
Thirty-one brass cannons and other evidence on the wreck allowed definitive identification of the HMS Victory, 175-foot sailing ship that was separated from its fleet and sank in the English Channel on Oct. 4, 1744, with at least 900 men aboard, the company said.
Photo released by Odyssey Marine Exploration.
The Odyssey Explorer's ROV measures a bore
hole of a 42-pound bronze cannon on the shipwreck
site of HMS Victory
Odyssey was searching for other valuable shipwrecks in the English Channel when it came across the Victory, although the exact location is being kept secret.
Full details are expected to emerge at a press conference in London on Monday morning.
The wreckage of the HMS Victory, the forerunner to the ship made famous by Lord Nelson, has been found below about 330 feet of water by Odyssey Marine Exploration.
Odyssey co-founder Greg Stemm said: "This is a big one, just because of the history. Very rarely do you solve an age-old mystery like this."
AP reported that two brass cannons had been recovered from the wreck of the ship which was the most heavily armed vessel of its day.
Photo released by Odyssey Marine Exploration
of a Bronze cannon on the shipwreck site of HMS
Victory bearing the royal crest of King George I
Thirty-one brass cannons and other evidence on the wreck allowed definitive identification of the HMS Victory, 175-foot sailing ship that was separated from its fleet and sank in the English Channel on Oct. 4, 1744, with at least 900 men aboard, the company said.
Photo released by Odyssey Marine Exploration.
The Odyssey Explorer's ROV measures a bore
hole of a 42-pound bronze cannon on the shipwreck
site of HMS Victory
Odyssey was searching for other valuable shipwrecks in the English Channel when it came across the Victory, although the exact location is being kept secret.
Full details are expected to emerge at a press conference in London on Monday morning.
Scuba Diving Jewellery
Like most people, when you get chatting to your scuba diving instructor you'll find they often have hidden depths to them.
Some play in their own bands, some like gliding, others run their own businesses. Take Jason Clarke, from Aquasport International in Birmingham. A qualified PADI and BSAC instructor he also has his own range of handmade jewellery called Evolution Jewellery.
Jason at work
Some play in their own bands, some like gliding, others run their own businesses. Take Jason Clarke, from Aquasport International in Birmingham. A qualified PADI and BSAC instructor he also has his own range of handmade jewellery called Evolution Jewellery.
Jason at work
The 37-year-old spent 21-years as a professional jewellery maker in Birmingham's prestigious Jewellery Quarter before becoming a full-time PADI instructor.
He used his love of the water as an inspiration for his jewellery and the range has taken off. His signature piece is an eye-catching fish-bone design, which comes as a pendant, bracelet and as a set of cufflinks, one you may have seen it advertised on the pages of dive magazines in the UK recently.
Each piece is handmade by Jason at his own workshop. Check out his website for the full collection.
And remember blokes, if you are planning a weekend away diving and want to guarantee quick agreement, something shiny like jewellery is always going to help win the missus over.
I should know, my wife already has a few of Jason's pieces.
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