Hms Grafton (89) Wreck

Field Value
Wreck Category dangerous wreck
Status historic
Hms grafton (89) Wreck Location
Marine Coordinates (DMM) 		51 24.43 N,2 49.1 E
Latitude, Longitude
Decimal Degrees
  • Latitude: 51.407167
  • Longitude: 2.818333
Wreck Depth 15.8 m
Water Depth 17 m
Water Level Effect always under water/submerged
Vertical Datum Lowest Astronomical Tide
Name HMS GRAFTON (89)
Type destroyer
Flag GB
Length 95.1 m
Width 10.1 m
Draught 2.7
Tonnage 1335
Tonnage Type displacement
Conspic Visual not visually conspicuous
Conspic Radar not radar conspicuous
Date Sunk May 29, 1940
Original Detection Year 1945
Last Detection Year 2025
Original Source national HO/authority notice to mariners
Surveying Details TORPEDOED IN 512200N, 024200E, APPROX. (AUTHORITY NOT KNOWN). H01279/45 6.4.45 INS DWPA IN 512436N, 024924E, WITH G CAN LT BY, GP FL(2) G 10S, CLOSE NW. - NM 966/45. H1883/45 18.4.45 WK, 2 MASTS SHOWING, IN 512436N, 024924E, APPROX. (ADMIRALTY). INS (2 MASTS) AGAINST WRECK. - NM 1097/45. H01279/45 18.6.45 G CAN BUOY, GPFL(3) G 10S, LAID CLOSE NW. (ADMIRALTY). - NM 1680/45. H01279/45 8.8.45 POSN AMENDED TO 512428N, 024818E. (ADMIRALTY). 2.9.55 NW BUOY NOT SHOWN ON NETH CHART OR BELGIAN K 1127. DELETE BUOY TO NW. BR STD. H1299/58 14.4.58 MAST & NW BUOY NOT SEEN. SW BUOY STILL ON STATION. (MV FOURCAULT, 30.1.58). AMEND TO DW, WITH BUOY, FL(2) G 10S CLOSE SE. DELETE NW BUOY. - NM 535/58. H3697/52 15.5.62 SALVAGE OPERATIONS IN PROGRESS. H3697/52 28.12.62 NOW SWEPT CLEAR AT 15MTRS. DELETE BUOY. (OSTEND NM 166/62). AMEND TO SW 8FMS 1FT. - NM 2789/62. 12.1.73 AMEND TO SW 15MTRS. NC 125. H3697/52 13.8.84 AMEND TO SW 16.2 MTRS IN 512428N, 024910E [EUR]. (OSTEND NM 15/103/84). BR STD. HH100/351/07 18.10.93 WK IN 512430N, 024910E IDENTIFIED AS HMS GRAFTON. LIES WITH BRIDGE STRUCTURE ALONGSIDE AND WITH PROP SHAFT SHOWING FROM AMIDSHIPS TO AFT WHERE MANY 4.7 INCH SHELLS, DEPTH CHARGES AND 50MM AMMUNITION IS TO BE FOUND. FOR'D GUN POINTS UPWARD OUT OF THE SANDY SEABED. AFTER GUN CAN ALSO BE SEEN. (M R H VALDERWEIRELDT, 30.9.93). SEP 2010/000138707 14.10.10 SHOWN AS SW 16.1MTRS [LAT] IN 5124.418N, 0249.088E [WGD] ON BELGIAN 102 [NE 1.6.10]. SEP 2024/000221510 06.08.24 BELGIUM NOW CONSIDERED THIS WRECK IN 5124.43N, 0249.10 [WGD]. TO BE 'HISTORIC' RECOGNISED AS UNDERWATER CULTURAL HERITAGE. ADDITIONAL PROTECTIVE MEASURES OF A 150MTRS CIRCULAR ZONE AROUND WRECK HAVE BEEN IMPLEMENTED, NO FISHING, NO DREDGING OR ANCHORING. (BELGIUM NM 16/154/24 DTD 01.08.24). ADDED
Last Amended Date Jan 1, 0150

Circumstances of loss

TORPEDOED BY GERMAN E-BOAT NEAR KWINTE BUOY, WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PICK UP SURVIVORS FROM HMS WAKEFUL, WHICH ALSO HAD BEEN TORPEDOED, DURING THE EVACUATION OF ALLIED TROOPS FROM DUNKIRK. WAS APPARENTLY FINALLY SUNK BY GUNFIRE FROM HMS IVANHOE AND SHE PROBABLY DRIFTED FOR SOME TIME BEFORE THIS OCCURRED.

General Comments

HISTORIC

WRECK MAP LOADING ... 51 24.43 N,2 49.1 E
Hms Grafton (89) on Wreck Map Hms Grafton (89) Wreck on Google Map

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FAQ

Where is the HMS GRAFTON (89) wreck located?

The HMS GRAFTON (89) wreck is located at coordinates 51 24.43 N,2 49.1 E.

How deep is the HMS GRAFTON (89) and where exactly is it located?

The HMS GRAFTON (89) lies at a depth of about 15.8 meters and is located at coordinates 51 24.43 N,2 49.1 E.

How deep is the seabed around the HMS GRAFTON (89)?

The seabed around the HMS GRAFTON (89) lies at approximately 17 meters deep.

When did the HMS GRAFTON (89) sink?

The HMS GRAFTON (89) sank on May 29, 1940.

When was the wreck of the HMS GRAFTON (89) discovered?

The wreck of the HMS GRAFTON (89) was discovered in 1945.

What country did the HMS GRAFTON (89) belong to?

The HMS GRAFTON (89) belonged to GB.

What was the tonnage of the HMS GRAFTON (89)?

The HMS GRAFTON (89) had a tonnage of 1335 tons.

What type of wreck is the HMS GRAFTON (89)?

The HMS GRAFTON (89) is classified as a destroyer.

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