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Monday, February 21, 2005
* The shrimping industry hits choppy waters; area shrimpers say tariffs levied on imported shrimp aren't enough to keep them around for much longer
-Florida Times Union, 2-21-05
HM Submarine Vandal goes missing on the 24th. of February 1943. Wreck is found in 1994, and dived on in 2003.
Introduction.
Vandal had been built at Barrow by Vickers Limited, and was launched on the 23rd. of December 1942. Initially she was to be named Unbridled, but it was changed to Vandal, such a name change is often considered to be unlucky by sailors, and so it proved on the 24th. of February in 1943, when she sailed for diving trials never to be seen again.
New Royal Navy Submarine joins the Third Submarine Flotilla.
The Royal Navy's newest Submarine joined the Third Submarine Flotilla at Holy Loch Scotland in February 1943, with Lieutenant John Bridger RN, as her Captain. With three other Officers and a crew of 33 ratings, she put out to sea for diving trials on the 24th. of February 1943, but was never seen again.
The mystery of her whereabouts and why her crew all perished was not unravelled ( a ) until a submarine wreck was found and video taped in June 1994 and ( b ) the wreck was dived upon by Vandal Project 2003.
Lost for 50 years.
Vandal after being lost for 50 years, the Scottish Branch of the Submarine Association petitioned the Royal Navy to go and look for her in an area that trawlers had been reporting their fishing nets were snagging. In 1994, HMS Hurworth located a submarine wreck, and by use of a ROV was able to take some rather murky videos of a boat laying at 330 feet on her side at a 30 degree angle.
Identified as Vandal.
From the videos, Gus Briton at the Submarine Museum at Gosford in Hampshire, was able positively identify the wreck as that of HM Submarine Vandal.
Larry Gaines, guilt ridden for 60 years.
Larry Gaines was a crew member of Vandal, but missed sailing in her as he was unwell and in the local sick bay. His place was taken in the illfated boat by a young inexperienced submariner, on board, Larry's last task was to ensure that the the aft engine room hatch was closed and securely dogged. For 60 years he has carried a yoke of guilt on his shoulders, believing that his relief, through inexperience had left this hatch open, and that this was the root cause of Vandal's demise.
Vandal Project 2003.
A team from Vandal Project 2003, dived to 330 feet in cold murky water to visit the wreck, finding her almost intact, but laying at a 30 degree angle on her side, Leigh Bishop was able to photograph the ship's name in large brass letters, and finally, Larry Gaines' guilt ghost was laid to rest, to everyones relief, the aft engineroom hatch was still snugly shut, but the reason the submarine sank became very evident. There, still gaping wide open was: THE FORWARD ESCAPE HATCH.
Some one had blundered, left the escape hatch open, it was not found, the boat had dived, and as water poured in unstoppable, it ensured the submarine could not surface, and the total crew of 37 all died.
Memorial to the crew of Vandal.
In 1992, on Lochranza Pier, on the Isle of Arran, a Memorial to the crew of Vandal was unveiled, it had been provided by H M Submarines Old Comrades Association.
Conclusion.
Another submarine and her crew had been lost due to human fraility, a simple error of not closing a hatch, and then someone not carrying out a routine check that the boat was secure for diving, provided the scenario for this tragedy.
It is hazardous enough to serve in a submarine in any Navy in wartime, without having a stupid mistake ensure that 37 crew members of Vandal would die, and that 37 families would grieve that their loved ones were not be coming home again.
Simple errors in the past, and that no doubt, will continue in the future to claim lives Beneath the Waves, from Submarine accidents that may have been prevented.
Here is more detail on HMS Vandal Project 2003, plus a photograph of the open escape hatch.
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