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Reference
Date 19 April 2012
Event ID 936907
Category Documentary Reference
Type Reference
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/936907
UKHO Identifier : 001968
Feature Class : Wreck
Wreck Category : Wreck showing any portion of hull or superstructure
State : LIVE
Classification : Unclassified
Position (Lat/long) : 57.26585,-5.68753
Horizontal Datum : ETRS 1989
WGS84 Position (Lat/long) : 57.26585,-5.68753
WGS84 Origin : Block Shift
Previous Position : 57.26612,-5.68638
Position Method : Compass Bearing and Radar Range
Position Quality : Precisely known
Depth Quality : Depth unknown
Water Depth : 18
Water Level Effect : Covers and uncovers
Vertical Datum : Mean Low Water Springs
Name : HMS PORT NAPIER
Type : AUX MINELAYER
Flag : BRITISH
Length : 109.7
Beam : 21.0
Orientation : 135.0
Tonnage : 9600
Tonnage Type : Gross
Cargo : MINES
Date Sunk : 27/11/1940
Bottom Texture : Sand
Debris Field : PARTS OF SUPERSTRUCTURE LIE TO S OF WK
Contact Description : Entire wreck
Original Sensor : Reported Sinking
Last Sensor : Diver Sighting
Original Detection Year : 1940
Last Detection Year : 2006
Original Source : Other
Last Source : Divers
Circumstances of Loss : **MERCHANT VESSEL CONVERTED FOR MINE-LAYING. SANK FOLLOWING A FIRE WHILE LOADING MINES, AND RUNNING AGROUND IN LOCH ALSH. (DIVER MAGAZINE, JUL'06)
Surveying Details : **H01135/40 4.1.41 STF IN 571559N, 054111W. (ADMIRALTY). - FNM 3047/40.
**H01135/40 26.6.53 NOW CHARTED AS DWP, LYING NW/SE. (AUTHORITY NOT STATED). NE 2251.
**H01135/40 7.10.54 BEACON ESTABLISHED 109DEG, 8.13C FROM RUDHA ARD TRESNISH TRIG MARK, OR 111.5DEG, 11.8C FROM KYLE AKIN LT. (FLAG OFFICER, SCOTLAND). - NM 2181/54.
**7.11.68 RN BOMB & MINE DISPOSAL TEAM HAVE SALVAGED 600 MINES AND 4000 ROUNDS AMMUNITION FROM WK. VESSEL LYING ON HER SIDE AND THERE IS STILL A POSSIBILITY OF MINES REMAINING UNDERNEATH. (WAR RISK INSURANCE, BOT, TELECON REFERRING TO LETTER, NO.268/2 TO COMCLYDE).
**13.1.69 D OF C (N) WILL NOT SELL VESSEL DUE POSSIBLE DANGER FROM MINES/EXPLOSIVES. SOME DOUBT REMAINS AS TO EXACT NUMBER OF MINES ONBOARD WHEN VESSEL SANK. (N/CP85.56668/68).
**6.5.69 BEACON NOT OBSERVED ON AIR PHOTOGRAPH OF WK. (PHOTOGRAMMETRY).
**8.12.69 DIVED ON. SEVERAL PARTS OF THE SUPERSTRUCTURE FOUND LYING SOUTH OF THE WK. THE DECK OF THE WK IS LITTERED WITH LOOSE CABLES. (NOTTINGHAM MINES RESEARCH AND EXPLORATION GROUP, 1.12.69).
**H2877/70 8.7.71 WK POSN NOW 571558N, 054111W. BOW, 210DEG, 6140FT, AND STERN, 206DEG, 6160FT, FROM DONALD MURCHINSON'S MONUMENT. POSITION OF BEACON IS 109.5DEG, 5100FT FROM RUDHA ARD TRESNISH TRIANGULATION MARK. (HMS HECLA, REPORT OF SURVEY DTD 18.2.70).
**H1288/75 10.11.75 POSN 571558N, 054111W CONFIRMED. WK LIES IN GEN DEPTH OF 60FT AND DRIES 8-10FT. IT IS IN ONE PIECE, LYING ON ITS SIDE, AND STILL HAS AMMUNITION ONBOARD. (R R WEBB, 12.10.75). NC 2540.
**5.4.82 LARGELY INTACT, LYING ON STBD SIDE. SOME PORT SIDE PLATING BLOWN OFF, OTHERWISE STRUCTURALLY SAFE. (BSAC WK REGISTER, VOL II).
**H4458/80 22.11.83 BN MARKING WK IS MISSING. (HMS LONDONDERRY, HN 3/83). - NM 3165/83.
**HH100/351/03 12.10.90 LIES IN 20MTRS ON HER SIDE. PROPELLERS HAVE BEEN REMOVED BY AN UNAUTHORISED SALVOR. NAVAL SALVAGE TEAM IN HMS BARGLOW REMOVED 526 MINES IN 1955/6 AND DETONATED THE REMAINING 16 IN SITU. WK IS POPULAR WITH SPORT DIVERS. APPLICATION MADE FOR PERMISSION TO REMOVE PROP. SHAFTS, WIRE CABLE FROM DECK AND OTHER FITTINGS. (DISPOSAL SALES (CONTRACTS 3) MEMO, 2.10.90 AND ENCLOSED LETTER FROM NORTH EAST DIVERS, 1.5.90). NCA.
**HH272/610/04 DELETE E AND W CARDINAL LT BUOYS. (HMSML GLEANER). - NM 2390/95.
POSITIONS BELOW THIS POINT ARE IN DEGREES, MINUTES AND DECIMALS OF A MINUTE
**30.9.99 WK LIES ON HER SIDE WITH BOWS TOWARDS THE SHORE. LARGELY INTACT. DECK PLANKING STILL IN PLACE AS ARE MANY GUNS. (DIVER MAGAZINE, SEP '99). NCA.
**1.2.00 INTACT AND UPRIGHT MINE ANCHOR TROLLEY LIES ON SEABED OFF THE STERN OF WK. WRECKAGE VISIBLE CLEAR OF THE SURFACE AT ALL BUT HIGH TIDE. STATED TO BE MARKED BY E & W CARD BUOYS. DIAGRAMS AND PHOTOS. (DIVER MAGAZINE FEB'2000). AMEND TO STP. BR STD.
**HH272/610/06 3.2.00 CONFIMED THAT BUOYS DO NOT EXIST. (HM OFFICE, KYLE OF LOCHALSH). NCA.
**25.7.06 LIES ON STARBOARD SIDE ON SANDY SEABED. BOW, RAILINGS & GUN-TURRETS COVERED IN MARINE LIFE. SHALLOWER PARTS OF WRECK SUCH AS INTACT MASTS ARE COLONISED BY KELP. (DIVER MAGAZINE JUL '06)
**6.10.07 EUT POSN: 5715.951N, 0541.252W. NE 2540.
