Hms Formidable Wreck

Field Value
Wreck Category non-dangerous wreck
Status historic
Hms formidable Wreck Location
Marine Coordinates (DMM) 		50 13.174 N,3 4.049 W
Latitude, Longitude
Decimal Degrees
  • Latitude: 50.219567
  • Longitude: -3.067483
Wreck Depth 44 m
Water Depth 59 m
Water Level Effect always under water/submerged
Vertical Datum Approximate Lowest Astronomical Tide
Name HMS FORMIDABLE
Type battleship
Flag GB
Length 131.1 m
Width 22.9 m
Draught 8.8
Sonar Length 133
Sonar Width 26
Shadow Height 11
Orientation 132
Tonnage 15000
Tonnage Type displacement
Conspic Visual not visually conspicuous
Conspic Radar not radar conspicuous
Date Sunk Jan 1, 1915
Bottom Texture Sand
Scour Dimensions ,,002.0,
Original Detection Year 1945
Last Detection Year 2003
Original Source other
Last Amended Date Oct 31, 2006

Surveying Details

H0113/45 25.3.45 A/S CONTACT IN 501324N, 030248W. (PLYMOUTH LIST 840/5; 840/2). CHART AS NDW. 4.4.45 GOOD SONAR CONTACT IN 501324N, 030248W. LENGTH 65FT, HEIGHT 27FT. CLASSIFIED ROCK. (ESCORT GROUP 14). H0113/45 6.7.45 WK IN 501312N, 030412W. POOR SONAR CONTACT. (PLYMOUTH LIST, 25.3.45 & 4.7.45). 7.7.45 LOCATED 4.1.45 IN 501324N, 030248W. (AUBD 303/117). H4638/55 22.7.55 WK LOCATED IN 501312N, 030358W USING DECCA. LEAST E/S DEPTH 23 IN GEN DEPTHS 32 TO 33FMS SCOUR DEPTH 6FT LIES 125/305DEGS. LENGTH 600FT, BEAM 50FT. EXCELLENT A/S CONTACT. (HMS SCOTT, ROS DTD 26.10.54). BR STD. H2829/72 3.5.72 WK 42MTRS, IN 501305N, 030410W. (FRENCH NM 72 15 10). NCA, POSSIBLY WRECK OF HMS FORMIDABLE. [SEE EXTRACT FROM SIGNAL LOG OF HMS LORD NELSON FOR 1.1.15 IN H3221/70]. H1310/81 2.9.81 DIVED ON 23.8.81, UNDER WATER VIS 15/20FT & 24.8.81 UNDER WATER VIS 40FT. DEFINITELY HMS FORMIDABLE LYING UPSIDE DOWN WITH BOTH PROPELLERS INTACT. ADMIRAL'S WALKWAY AROUND STERN SIGHTED. 6 INCH GUNS IN CASEMATES ON SIDE OF SHIP AND LINE OF 12 PDRS ALONG UPPER DECK CLEARLY VISIBLE. WKGE NEARBY ON SEABED. HULL BROKEN COMPLETELY ACROSS AT AROUND BRIDGE OR FORWARD FUNNEL AREA. MAIN DECK LEVEL WITH SEABED. LYING NW/SE, STERN NW. (A HILLGROVE, 31.8.81). 11.8.86 PROPELLERS MAY HAVE BEEN REMOVED AND DECLARED AS FROM THE ROTORUA. (MR RUSSELL, BEARE CG,TELECON). 24.7.87 CONFIRMED AS BEING THE WK OF THE FORMIDABLE. (M SKELSEY). HH100/351/14/10 15.2.99 LOCATED IN 5013.143N,303.996W [OGB] USING DGPS. LIES NW/SE, HEIGHT 16MTRS. COMMERCIAL GUARD REQUESTED FOR POS'N. (M SHARP, FAX DTD 25.1.99). AMEND TO CINC. AMEND POSN. BR STD. HH226/410/06 27.9.02 DESIGNATED AS PROTECTED MILITARY WRECK WITH RESTRICTED AREA RADIUS 400MTRS CENTRED ON 5013.179N, 0304.071W [WGD]. (STATUTORY INSTRUMENT 1761/02). - NM 5209/02. HH090/961/01 15.12.03 EXAM'D 23.6.03 IN 5013.174N, 0304.049W [WGD] USING DGPS. LEAST E/S DEPTH 44.3 IN GEN DEPTH 59MTRS. NO SCOUR. LENGTH 133MTRS, WIDTH 26MTRS. DCS3 HT 11.0MTRS. LIES 132/312 DEGS WITH BOWS TOWARDS 132 DEGS. STRONG MAGNETIC ANOMALY. (GARDLINE, HI 961). AMEND WK 44MTRS. BR STD. 22.4.04 REQUEST FROM MR SHARP FOR CINC REMOVED AS MORE THAN 5 YEARS AND POSN AMENDED AGAIN IN JUN'03. SEP 2006/000394419 30.10.06 STATUTORY INSTRUMENT 1761/02 CANCELLED. REDESIGNATED AS PROTECTED MILITARY WRECK WITH RESTRICTED AREA RADIUS 400MTRS CENTRED ON 5013.179N, 0304.071W [WGD]. (STATUTORY INSTRUMENT 2616/06). NCA. 28.4.08 PREVIOUS SI CANCELLED. REDESIGNATED AS PROTECTED MILITARY WRECK WITH RESTRICTED AREA RADIUS 400MTRS CENTRED ON 5013.179N, 0304.071W [WGD]. (STATUTORY INSTRUMENT 950/08). NCA. 1.2.10 PREVIOUS SI CANCELLED. REDESIGNATED AS PROTECTED MILITARY WRECK WITH RESTRICTED AREA RADIUS 400MTRS CENTRED ON 5013.179N, 0304.071W [WGD]. (STATUTORY INSTRUMENT 3380/09). NCA. 16.6.17 PREVIOUS SI CANCELLED. REDESIGNATED AS PROTECTED MILITARY WRECK WITH RESTRICTED AREA RADIUS 400MTRS CENTRED ON 5013.174N, 0304.049W [WGD]. (STATUTORY INSTRUMENT 147/2017).

Circumstances of loss

BUILT IN 1898 BY PORTSMOUTH DOCKYARD. TWIN SHAFT. 4 X 12 INCH, 12 X 6 INCH & 18 X 12PDR GUNS. WHILE PROCEEDING AS PART OF THE 5TH BATTLE SQUADRON, WAS TORPEDOED TWICE BY U 24. SANK AFTER REMAINING AFLOAT FOR ABOUT 90 MINS AND THEN CAPSIZING. ONLY 201 OF THE CREW OF 800 WERE SAVED. (COURT OF ENQUIRY PAPERS, DTD JANUARY 1915, FROM PUBLIC RECORDS OFFICE & SIBI).

General Comments

INTACT, INVERTED

WRECK MAP LOADING ... 50 13.174 N,3 4.049 W
Hms Formidable on Wreck Map Hms Formidable Wreck on Google Map

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FAQ

Where is the HMS FORMIDABLE wreck located?

The HMS FORMIDABLE wreck is located at coordinates 50 13.174 N,3 4.049 W.

How deep is the HMS FORMIDABLE and where exactly is it located?

The HMS FORMIDABLE lies at a depth of about 44 meters and is located at coordinates 50 13.174 N,3 4.049 W.

How deep is the seabed around the HMS FORMIDABLE?

The seabed around the HMS FORMIDABLE lies at approximately 59 meters deep.

When did the HMS FORMIDABLE sink?

The HMS FORMIDABLE sank on Jan 1, 1915.

When was the wreck of the HMS FORMIDABLE discovered?

The wreck of the HMS FORMIDABLE was discovered in 1945.

What country did the HMS FORMIDABLE belong to?

The HMS FORMIDABLE belonged to GB.

What was the tonnage of the HMS FORMIDABLE?

The HMS FORMIDABLE had a tonnage of 15000 tons.

What type of wreck is the HMS FORMIDABLE?

The HMS FORMIDABLE is classified as a battleship.

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