Archaeology Notes

Event ID 855447

Category Descriptive Accounts

Type Archaeology Notes

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/855447

HU44SE 8097 4743 4333

N60 10.3319 W1 8.7017

NLO: Bressay [name centred HU 50 40]

Bressay Sound [name centred HU 485 415]

Lerwick [name: HU 475 415].

See also HU44SE 8067.

(Classified as Motor Torpedo Boat: date of loss cited as November 1943). Unknown: reported as Norwegian MTB that blew up in November 1943. See MTB 686 and MTB 626.

(Location of loss cited as N60 9.67 W1 9.0).MTB 626 and MTB 686: both lost at Lerwick, 22 November 1943.

(Both entered as British Motor Torpedo Boats of 95 tons (unspecified) measurement: location of loss cited as N60 8.0 W1 7.0 in each case).

I G Whittaker 1998.

(Location cited as N60 10.3319 W1 8.7017 [HU 4743 4333]). Diving operations carried out by Pritchard Diving Services on 23-4 February 2005 within the Heogan underwater survey area (HU44SE 276), Bressay Sound, revealed the remains of an unidentified motor torpedo boat of Second World War date at a depth of about 13m. The wooden structure was found to be flattened to the seabed; only 'small structures' projected to a height of about 0.75m. The presence of ordnance (notably small-calibre ammunition) was noted, both within the projecting structure and dispersed more widely.

(Underwater colour imagery published, with history, technical details and drawing of Fairmile D ('Dog boat') MGB/MTB).

MS/2336.

This wreck remains unidentified, but is presumably to be equated with the recorded loss of either MTB 626 or MTB 686 in Lerwick harbour on 22 November 1943. It is not specifically identifiable.

(Whittaker cites no further details).

Information from RCAHMS (RJCM), 13 September 2006.

I G Whittaker 1998.

The location that is assigned to this record is essentially arbitrary, but falls within the ill-defined area of Lerwick Harbour (HU44SE 32: centred HU 47722 41345). This takes the form of an extensive roadstead which comprises the waters of Bressay Sound between the narrow Northern entrance (around HU 475 445) and the broader Southern entrance (around HU 483 400). The main facilities are to be found around HU 477 414, on the W side of the Sound; recent development extends Northwards from this point.

Information from RCAHMS (RJCM), 5 October 2007.