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Unknown: Bressay Sound

Motor Torpedo Boat (20th Century)

Site Name Unknown: Bressay Sound

Classification Motor Torpedo Boat (20th Century)

Alternative Name(s) Mtb 626; Mtb 686; Lerwick Harbour; Freefield; Heogan; North Sea

Canmore ID 282632

Site Number HU44SE 8097

NGR HU 4743 4333

Datum Datum not recorded

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/282632

Ordnance Survey licence number AC0000807262. All rights reserved.
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Administrative Areas

  • Council Shetland Islands
  • Parish Maritime - Shetland Islands
  • Former Region Shetland Islands Area
  • Former District Maritime
  • Former County Not Applicable

Archaeology Notes

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.

Activities

Loss (22 November 1943)

(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.

External Reference (1972)

[MTB or MGB] 626 and 686 were Fairmile Type D designs (a combined MGB and MTB) with and dispaclemnt of between 90 and 105 tons. They measured 115ft [35.1m] by 15ft [4.6m] by 5ft [1.5m].

A J D North 1972.

Evidence Of Loss (23 February 2005 - 24 February 2005)

(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.

Loss (13 September 2006)

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

Information from RCAHMS (RJCM), 13 September 2006.

Note (5 October 2007)

Location entered as HU 4743 4333 [N60 10.3319 W1 8.7017]). The location that is assigned to this record 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.

Geophysical Survey (23 September 2011 - 25 September 2011)

Wessex Archaeology was commissioned by Historic Scotland to undertake geophysical survey over a number of wreck sites off the coast of Shetland; in total eight wrecks were surveyed in detail by side scan sonar. A further three sites were visited but unable to be surveyed due to bad weather.

Of the eight wreck surveys only one survey did not reveal any geophysical anomalies of archaeological interest, this was the Aith Voe Hull, a named location. Three wreck surveys identified definite archaeological anomalies and the remaining four wreck surveys identified numerous geophysical anomalies, some of them of archaeological potential. The surveys have informed upon the environment and condition of the wrecks and quantitative information has been added to the body of work already existing.

In addition multibeam bathymetry data were acquired from the UKHO (United Kingdom Hydrographic Office) and processed and interpreted by Wessex Archaeology. The multibeam bathymetry data analysis identified fine anomalies of potential archaeological interest and showed the presence of partially infilled palaeochannels, glimpsing the submerged prehistory of Shetland. The context for these palaeochannels is summarised and further work suggested to build on this.

Information from OASIS ID: waherita1-298431 (P Baggaley) 2011

External Reference (17 January 2012)

The loss of two vessels in a single fire may suggest that they were lost while berthed or moored (in a trot) alongside each other.

Information from Mr S Liscoe (Fife Council Archaeological Unit, Kirkcaldy), 17 January 2012.

Named Location (Nlo) (19 March 2012)

NLO: Bressay [name centred HU 50 40]

Bressay Sound [name centred HU 485 415]

Lerwick [name: HU 475 415].

See also HU44SE 8067.

References

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