Carrier Wreck in the Forth of Forth

[Mr T.]

I was, rather naively, asking questions on a posting on D-net about the possibility of diving the wreck of the carrier 'HMS Dasher' (currently residing at approx 170+ metres off the Clyde ) when Ross kindly sent me these sonar/side-scan pics of another carrier, 'HMS Campania', currently lying in approx. 30 metres in the Firth of Forth.

http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/~www_sg....rch.pdf

Anyone dived her? Any reports? Or is she another war grave or, was she an RN target practice ship? Hopefully the latter. Thanks again to Ross for the info.

[Michael Lowrey]

Bren,

HMS Campania was one the very first aircraft carriers. She was actually a Cunard liner (622 feet oa, 65 foot beam, 12,884 grt) that entered service in 1893. She had been already been sold for scraping when the war broke out and the RN bought her.

Campania was refitted with a 200 foot long runway forward and carried 10 seaplanes. On November 5, 1918 she dragged her cables during a gale and drifted across the bows of the battleship HMS revenge and foundered. I do not know if any lives were lost in this incident.

Hope this helps,

Michael

[Sam]

I'm planning to dive the Campania next month. She was a former Cunard Liner
which was converted to an early aircraft carrier in WW1.  She sank in 1918 just off the coast of Burntisland after colliding with The Royal Oak and HMS Glorious in bad weather.

[Sandman]

This might help.

The HMS Campania, a Cunard liner converted to aircraft carrier that served in world war 1, was lashed about in a storm in 1918. The carrier was wrenched from its anchor point and rammed into HMS Royal Oak before being smashed into HMS Revenge which ripped her hull to pieces before she finally sunk within an hour. She was a ship built to as high a standard if not higher than the Titanic.  Lies in 20 - 30m. The site has recently been protected as a site of historic importance. Groups interested in diving the site must be accompanied by a licenced diver.  (Currently only Mark Blyth of Burntisland Watersports is licenced.) A strict no touch policy is in force for this wreck.

[angus Theape]

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (Bren Tierney @ July 17 2003,18:54)]Ross kindly sent me these sonar/side-scan pics of another carrier, 'HMS Campania', currently lying in approx. 30 metres in the Firth of Forth.

http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/~www_sg....rch.pdf

Anyone dived her? Any reports? Or is she another war grave or, was she an RN target practice ship? Hopefully the latter. Thanks again to Ross for the info.

Yes I know people who have dived it, but never a second time.

[Mr T.]

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (angus Theape @ July 18 2003,12:42)]Yes I know people who have dived it, but never a second time.

Hey Angus,

Thanks for the info. Care to expand on the reasons why they won't dive it again???

Cheers,

[angus Theape]

HMS Campania lies just off Burntisland in two parts. The wreck is apparently near the end of a coal seam, this causes poor underwater visibility. The wreck is also covered in lost fishing gear. Two people I know managed to get under the remains of the flight deck without realising it, the visibility being that poor. If you think this was down to their inexperience, you would be quite wrong.
Anyone I have ever known who dived it has never had the desire to return to it.

[nikk]

Hi
I dived her last month the above post is correct in saying she can only be dived using Mark at Burntisland water sports ,however this was my third dive on her it wont be my last.She lies just south of Burntisland in 32 mtrs max. Mark normally drops you on highest point which is around 21mtrs .The viz on my last time was 3 - 4 mtr not great but ok Massive wreck biggest in forth and not broken in two as some books say.One diver i know has dived her with a reported 10 mtr viz but more likely you will get three to five,there are still loads of portholes some still with glass in on her but as said above no take policy in force.Do this dive its well worth the poorish viz shes a big wreck with good history
            nikk

[Mr T.]

Anyone revisited this puppy since this initial thread was posted?

Any updates?

[west coast diver]

Originally Posted by Mr T.

Anyone revisited this puppy since this initial thread was posted?

Any updates?

Yeah, me!

Unfortunately I can verify that the viz in this area is shockingly bad at times
<1 mtr,
in fact so bad that we couldn't even find it!

It sounds a fantastic dive but I'm afraid the reality is somewhat different, shame really.

I have heard that some divers have had good 10 mtr viz in this area, but I would have to say that would be truly exceptional.

H.M.S Saucy is not a bad alternative and the Blae rock has some really colourful anemonies, but again dodgy viz.

I have heard that the May isle is very good but then again I heard that about the Campania.

You pays your money...

W.C.D.