Hms Wessex Wreck

Field Value
Wreck Category dangerous wreck
Hms wessex Wreck Location
Marine Coordinates (DMM)
51 0.896 N,1 45.828 E
Latitude, Longitude
Decimal Degrees
  • Latitude: 51.014933
  • Longitude: 1.763800
Wreck Depth 23 m
Water Depth 28 m
Water Level Effect always under water/submerged
Vertical Datum Approximate Lowest Astronomical Tide
Name HMS WESSEX
Type destroyer
Flag GB
Length 95.1 m
Width 9.1 m
Draught 3.4
Sonar Length 200
Shadow Height 9
Tonnage 1090
Tonnage Type displacement
Conspic Visual not visually conspicuous
Conspic Radar not radar conspicuous
Date Sunk May 25, 1940
Original Detection Year 1940
Last Detection Year 2020
Original Source other
Surveying Details H0492/40 24.5.40 BOW SHOWING ABOVE WATER 320DEGS, 3.5M FROM CALAIS HIGH LIGHT. (VA DOVER, 24.5.40). 28.2.77 SHOWN AS WK 20.5MTRS IN 510100N, 014533E ON FR 6651. NE 323. H3007/71 20.4.77 LEAST DEPTH OVER WK 20.9MTRS. (BREST NM 77.11.28). - NM 1027/77. H3216/72 21.5.79 N CARD LT BUOY QKFL ESTABLISHED CLOSE NW OF WK. (BREST NM 79 16 31). - NM 1322/79. 13.11.80 SHOWN AS WK 20.5MTRS ON FR 6651 [MAY 1979 EDN]. NE 2451. H1271/81 10.12.81 SHOWN AS WK 20.5MTRS IN 510057N, 014530E ON FR 6651 [2ND EDN 1981]. NE 323. 7.2.86 SHOWN AS WK 19.8MTRS IN 510056N, 014556E ON FR 6651 [1985 EDN]. NE 1352. 25.1.89 UNKNOWN WK, FIRST RECORDED IN 1945, IN 510056N, 014556E [EUR]. FIXED BY TRIDENT III, POSN ACCURACY 20MTRS, IN 1985. INVESTIGATED BY MAGNETOMETER, E/S & SONAR. LEAST E/S DEPTH 19.8MTRS. HEIGHT 9MTRS, LENGTH 200MTRS. (FRENCH WK RECORDS NO.21611030). NCA. 25.1.89 'RCW' N CARD PILLAR LT BUOY VQ IN 510115N, 014524E [EUR]. (FRENCH NM 88 44 33). NE 1892. 25.1.89 FISHING TACKLE DAMAGED IN 510100N, 014554E USING DECCA. (MANIERE E, REPERTOIRE DES CROCHES ET EPAVES). NCA. HH100/351/11 25.1.96 IDENTIFIED AS HMS WESSEX. (R H VANALDERWEIRELDT). NCA. SEP 2006/000378555 13.10.06 SHOWN AS WK 22MTRS IN 5100.895N, 0145.829E [WGD] ON FRENCH 7258 [EDN 3 DTD 2006]. BR STD. SEP 2016/000076595 21.9.16 SHOWN AS WK 23MTRS IN 5100.896N, 0145.828E [WGD] ON FR474240 & FRENCH 7424. [ED 3, 2016]. AMEND TO DW 23MTRS IN REVISED POSN.
Last Amended Date Dec 8, 2020

Circumstances of loss

12.3.18 A W CLASS DESTROYER. BUILT IN 1918 BY HAWTHORN LESLIE [HEBBURN]. LAUNCHED 12.3.18. BOMBED AND SUNK BY GERMAN FIGHTERS OFF CALAIS. THREE YARROW BOILERS, BROWN CURTIS SINGLE REDUCTION TURBINES. FOUR 4 INCH GUNS, ONE 2 PDR AA GUN. FIVE MACHINE GUNS. FIVE 21 INCH TORPEDO TUBES. 6 LIVES LOST.

General Comments

UK NM 3912/20

WRECK MAP LOADING ... 51 0.896 N,1 45.828 E
Hms Wessex on Wreck Map Hms Wessex Wreck on Google Map

Nearby Wrecks:

FAQ

Where is the HMS WESSEX wreck located?

The HMS WESSEX wreck is located at coordinates 51 0.896 N,1 45.828 E.

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

The HMS WESSEX lies at a depth of about 23 meters and is located at coordinates 51 0.896 N,1 45.828 E.

How deep is the seabed around the HMS WESSEX?

The seabed around the HMS WESSEX lies at approximately 28 meters deep.

When did the HMS WESSEX sink?

The HMS WESSEX sank on May 25, 1940.

When was the wreck of the HMS WESSEX discovered?

The wreck of the HMS WESSEX was discovered in 1940.

What country did the HMS WESSEX belong to?

The HMS WESSEX belonged to GB.

What was the tonnage of the HMS WESSEX?

The HMS WESSEX had a tonnage of 1090 tons.

What type of wreck is the HMS WESSEX?

The HMS WESSEX is classified as a destroyer.