Hms Whirlwind Wreck

Field Value
Obstruction Category foul ground
Hms whirlwind Wreck Location
Marine Coordinates (DMM) 		52 16.846 N,4 40.566 W
Latitude, Longitude
Decimal Degrees
  • Latitude: 52.280767
  • Longitude: -4.676100
Water Depth 31 m
Water Level Effect always under water/submerged
Vertical Datum Approximate Lowest Astronomical Tide
Name HMS WHIRLWIND
Type destroyer
Flag GB
Length 103.6 m
Width 11 m
Draught 3
Sonar Length 20
Sonar Width 3
Shadow Height 0.4
Orientation 135
Tonnage 1710
Tonnage Type displacement
Conspic Visual not visually conspicuous
Conspic Radar not radar conspicuous
Date Sunk Nov 1, 1974
Bottom Texture Sand
Original Detection Year 1974
Last Detection Year 2014
Original Source other
Surveying Details H5001/72 15.11.74 DANGEROUS TO NAVIGATION IN 521600N, 044000W [OGB]. MARKED BY G CONL BUOY, Q. (RNO PEMBROKE DOCK, SIGNAL DTD 1.11.74). H4858/74 18.12.74 HIGHEST POINT 42FT ABOVE SEABED, THEREFORE AT LEAST 11FMS OVER WK. NOT BROKEN UP. LYING ON PORT SIDE. HEADING 330DEGS. BUOY TO BE REPLACED WITH 60FT TARGET BARGE LAID 150FT NE OF WK. SALVAGE WORK NOT EXPECTED FOR SOME TIME. (RNO PEMBROKE DOCK, 2.12.74). INS AS WK 22MTRS. - NM 168/75. H4858/74 16.7.75 DIVERS REPORT WK LYING ON PORT SIDE AT ANGLE 65DEGS. HEADING 305DEGS. CONSIDERABLE SUPERFICIAL DAMAGE TO SUPERSTRUCTURE BUT HULL APPEARS INTACT. SEABED HARD PACKED SAND, SHINGLE WITH OUTCROPS OF ROCK. SOME SCOURING AT EITHER END OF WK. LEAST DEPTH 71FT BELOW CD IN GEN DEPTH 108-110FT. MOORING BUOY STILL ATTACHED TO WK & STILL BUOYANT BUT HELD TIGHTLY IN F'C'SLE AREA. TEMPORARILY MARKED WITH GREEN 40 GALLON DRUM. (SNR MOORING & SALVAGE OFFICER, SOUTH COAST, LTR DTD 12.6.75). NCA. H4858/74 11.9.75 DECIDED NOT TO PROCEED WITH CLEARANCE OF WK FOR TIME BEING. REQUESTED THAT FURTHER DIVING SURVEY BE CARRIED OUT IN SPRING '76 & THAT DURING THIS SURVEY OPPORTUNITY BE TAKEN TO REMOVE THE MAST AND THAT THE MOORING BUOY & ASSOCIATED CABLES BE RECOVERED. (DMS (BATH), 5.9.75). H4858/74 25.5.76 ANGLE OF HEEL INCREASED TO 81DEGS. MAST PARTIALLY CUT AWAY BY SALVAGE DIVER. WK BRIDLES CUT BY EXPLOSIVES. LEAST DEPTH 72FT BELOW CHART DATUM. WK HAS NOT SUNK INTO SEABED. (MOORING OFFICER, S COAST, 14.5.76). HH100/351/01 8.9.89 LOCATED IN 521644.5N, 014024.5W [OGB] USING DECCA. LIES ON PORT SIDE AND IS INTACT EXCEPT FOR HOLE IN PORT SIDE THROUGH WHICH CONDENSER HAS FALLEN ONTO SEABED. GUNS (TWIN TURRET) STILL ON BOW. VERY LITTLE SCOUR. NO NETS. (R S BUFTON, 21.8.89). AMEND POSN. BR STD. 17.5.91 LIES IN 36MTRS. HEADING 340DEGS. (A HAGUE, TELECON 16.5.91). NCA. HH213/420/02 12.8.92 MEAN DECCA POSN 521642.5N, 044015.5W [OGB]. (WRECKS OFFICER). AMEND POSN. BR STD. 24.1.02 [EUT] POSN: 5216.731N, 0440.326W. NE 1972. 12.7.10 LIES IN 5216.791N, 0440.527W [WGD] WITH FWD SECTION ON PORT SIDE AND STERN INVERTED. BOWS NW. STANDS 6MTRS HIGH AT BOW. (DIVER MAGAZINE, AUG '10). NCA. SEP 2014/000169269 12.3.15 NOT LOCATED 2014 BY M/B & MAGNETOMETER. (MMT, HI 1450). NCA. SEP 2014/000169269 12.3.15 WK NOT LOCATED BY M/B WITHIN A 500MTR RADUS. SMALL ITEM, POSSIBLY A ROCK, LOCATED IN 5616.846N, 0440.566W [WGD]. LENGTH 20MTRS, WIDTH 3MTRS, HT 0.4MRS. (BDC EXAMINATION OF HI 1450 DATA). ?LINEAR SEABED FEATURE. AMEND FOUL IN REVISED POSN.
Last Amended Date Mar 12, 2015

Circumstances of loss

BUILT 1943 & CONVERTED FROM C-CLASS DESTROYER TO TYPE 15 ANTI-SUBMARINE FRIGATE IN 1953-54. TWO 3-DRUM BOILERS, TWIN TURBINES OF 40,000 SHP FOR 31 KNOTS, TWIN SHAFT. 1 X TWIN 4 INCH, 1 X TWIN 40MM BOFORS. 2 X MARK 10 MORTARS. SANK WHILE MOORED AS A TARGET IN CARDIGAN BAY AFTER SEVERE WEATHER AND PROBABLY DUE TO DAMAGE PREVIOUSLY INFLICTED BY MISSILES.

General Comments

?LINEAR SEABED FEATURE

WRECK MAP LOADING ... 52 16.846 N,4 40.566 W
Hms Whirlwind on Wreck Map Hms Whirlwind Wreck on Google Map

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FAQ

Where is the HMS WHIRLWIND wreck located?

The HMS WHIRLWIND wreck is located at coordinates 52 16.846 N,4 40.566 W.

How deep is the seabed around the HMS WHIRLWIND?

The seabed around the HMS WHIRLWIND lies at approximately 31 meters deep.

When did the HMS WHIRLWIND sink?

The HMS WHIRLWIND sank on Nov 1, 1974.

When was the wreck of the HMS WHIRLWIND discovered?

The wreck of the HMS WHIRLWIND was discovered in 1974.

What country did the HMS WHIRLWIND belong to?

The HMS WHIRLWIND belonged to GB.

What was the tonnage of the HMS WHIRLWIND?

The HMS WHIRLWIND had a tonnage of 1710 tons.

What type of wreck is the HMS WHIRLWIND?

The HMS WHIRLWIND is classified as a destroyer.

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