HMY VERONA
POSITION 5751.650N 00338.580W DEPTH LW 39m HW 42m
LEVEL Experienced Sports Advanced Open Water/wreck or deep divers
NOTE This is a fairly long transit so take plenty of fuel as the wreck can take a little finding once on site. Use a good shot line with a large buoy and plenty of line (50 metres min). This is a war grave so please treat it with the respect it deserves.
An opulent yatch built by Messrs Fleming and Ferguson of Paisley this vessel was built in 1890 and pressed into service by the admiralty for use in the First World War. It disappeared without trace on 24 February 1917 probably due to striking a mine and this theory is almost certainly correct as the wreck is in two halves and fairly broken up. The visibility on the wreck can be quite impressive and a torch is not always necessary although carrying one is of course recommended! The centre part around the boilers is fairly well broken but the impressive bow section complete with bowsprit is a photographer's dream provided they had the correct equipment. The stern is lying on its starboard side with the large rudder and bronze propeller still in place. The fixtures and fittings of this vessel are of a particularly high standard and fortunately due to its difficult accessibility and depth many are still in place and have not be liberated by collectors of scrap non ferrous metals! Log book entry 1 June 95, dive 655 "Superb dive, lots to see everywhere. Portholes, the ships wheel, guns, shellcases. Fish everywhere, Brilliant."
A link to the full story of the
Imogen (click the pic)