News
Ceremony commemorates centenary of historic sinking of HMT Arfon
Just over a century ago (April 30th, 1917) a rare steam fishing trawler – HMT Arfon – fitted out as a mine sweeper for the Royal Navy during the First World War, rapidly sank off the Dorset coast after striking a mine with the loss of 10 of the crew of 13.
100 years later to the day, a commemoration ceremony took place at St Aldhems Head, Swanage to mark the anniversary of the sinking. The original plan was for the descendants to visit the site of HMT Arfon by boat and lay wreaths to mark the occasion. Unfortunately the wind was too strong to allow this.
20 descendants plus Martin and Bryan Jones, Andrew Bailey and Garry Momber visited St Aldhems Head. Despite the windy conditions the ceremony took place, the poem ‘For the fallen’ was read, followed by a prayer by Janette Humberstone, a descendant of Edward Youngs, the Second Hand. The names of all the crew were read out followed by the blowing of the steam whistle using Morse Code for mine. The original steam whistle, beautifully restored was sounded for the first time since the sinking of HMT Arfon in 1917.
The whole group then assembled at the eastern side of St. Aldhems Head NCI station for the unveiling of an information board sponsored by Historic England. The unveiling was performed by Garry Momber, Director of the Maritime Archaeology Trust.
Martin was most surprised and delighted by how many people were able to attend the ceremony and said “it was a real pleasure to meet John Abrams (IV) who was the great grandson of the Skipper, John Abrams of HMT Arfon.”
After the ceremony the group spent the rest of the day at The Pines Hotel in Swanage where Garry Momber was able to show everyone the 3D tour released that day. Martin brought along a number of artefacts for the descendants to see. At a later date, the intention is that all the artefacts will be on display in museums.
The wreck was a rare find by Martin & Bryan Jones of Swanage Boat Charters whilst taking divers out on another wreck in 2013. Bryan was the first person to dive the wreck in 2014. Bryan, with the help of Dave Wendes a local maritime historian, proved the wreck to be HMT Arfon. The wreck is exceptionally well preserved with the trawler’s key features such as its mine-sweeping gear, deck gun, portholes and engine room still intact on the sea bed.
The Maritime Archaeology Trust has taken more than 10,000 images as part of their Heritage Lottery Funded Forgotten Wrecks Project. The images have been used to produce a 3D tour of the Arfon as she lies on the seabed today using a process called photogrammetry. This enables non-divers to view the wreck via the internet. As the wreck is now protected, diving can only be undertaken under special licence granted by Historic England.
Martin added “We would like to thank Historic England and the Maritime Archaeology Trust for the enormous amount of work that they have contributed to this project and we hope the Arfon will be left in its pristine condition and respected for its rarity and historical value for many years to come.”
Virtual Dive: Click here to view the 3D tour of the wreck of the HMT Arfon
More information about the Maritime Archaeology Trust can be found at http://maritimearchaeologytrust.org
More information about the Heritage Lottery Fund Forgotten Wrecks of the First World War project (2014-2018) can be found at http://forgottenwreck.org
Thanks also to Martin, Bryan and Patricia Jones at Swanage Boat Charters, www.kyarra.com
News
Dive Worldwide Announces Bite-Back as its Charity of the Year
Over the next 12 months, specialist scuba holiday company Dive Worldwide will be supporting Bite-Back Shark & Marine Conservation with donations collected from client bookings to any one of its stunning dive destinations around the world. The independently-owned operator expects to raise £3000 for the UK charity.
Manager at Dive Worldwide, Phil North, said: “We’re especially excited to work with Bite-Back and support its intelligent, creative and results-driven campaigns to end the UK trade in shark products and prompt a change in attitudes to the ocean’s most maligned inhabitant.”
Bite-Back is running campaigns to hold the media to account on the way it reports shark news along with a brand new nationwide education programme. Last year the charity was credited for spearheading a UK ban on the import and export of shark fins.
Campaign director at Bite-Back, Graham Buckingham, said: “We’re enormously grateful to Dive Worldwide for choosing to support Bite-Back. The company’s commitment to conservation helps set it apart from other tour operators and we’re certain its clients admire and respect that policy. For us, the affiliation is huge and helps us look to the future with confidence we can deliver against key conservation programmes.”
To launch the fundraising initiative, Phil North presented Graham Buckingham with a cheque for £1,000.
Visit Dive Worldwide to discover its diverse range of international scuba adventures and visit Bite-Back to learn more about the charity’s campaigns.
MORE INFORMATION
Call Graham Buckingham on 07810 454 266 or email graham@bite-back.com
Gear News
Scubapro Free Octopus Promotion 2024
Free Octopus with every purchase of a SCUBAPRO regulator system
Just in time for the spring season, divers can save money with the FREE OCTOPUS SPRING PROMOTION! Until July 31st SCUBAPRO offers an Octopus for free
with every purchase of a regulator system!
Get a free S270 OCTOPUS with purchase of these combinations:
MK25 EVO or MK19 EVO with A700
MK25 EVO or MK19 EVO with S620Ti
MK25 EVO or MK19 EVO with D420
MK25 EVO Din mit S620Ti-X
Get a free R105 OCTOPUS with purchase of the following combinations:
MK25 EVO or MK19 EVO with G260
MK25 EVO or MK17 EVO with S600
SCUBAPRO offers a 30-year first owner warranty on all regulators, with a revision period of two years or 100 dives. All SCUBAPRO regulators are of course certified according to the new European test standard EN250-2014.
Available at participating SCUBAPRO dealers. Promotion may not be available in all regions. Find an authorized SCUBAPRO Dealer at scubapro.com.
More information available on www.scubapro.com.
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