These have a total length of 4.57km (2.84mi) and enclose approximately 1,000ha (2,500 acres) of water. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. [71][72] Further along the arm is a 29 millimetre spigot mortar emplacement. on the inside of the harbour, against a breakwater: the Spaniard - barge 50 metres south-west of the Chequered Fort, This page was last edited on 30 April 2023, at 05:30. [24] Before being installed on the battlecruiser, the bell was inscribed around the base with the words: "This bell was preserved from HMS Hood battleship 18911914 by the late rear admiral, The Honourable Sir Horace Hood KCB, DSO, MVO killed at Jutland on 31st May 1916. Frequent visitor John Liddiard reveals his route. A major government project, the construction work had become Dorset's greatest tourist attraction of its time. The M2 is a one-of-a-kind submarine aircraft carrier which sank off Portland in 1932 during routine exercises (see panel). A well-broken steamship of about 2000 tons standing 6 metres off the sea bed. An ex American submarine sunk on purpose, upright, as a sonar target in August 1947. Advertisement. The wreckage is pretty much broken up. LAY RIGHT ACROSS THE PORTLAND SEWER OUTFALL WHICH WAS SMASHED. Repairs took only two days, and the ship left Sheerness for the Mediterranean on 18 June 1893. The most popular entrance and the one recommended by the local Council, however, is using the slipway, walking straight down to the shore and swimming out. All boats and vessels including kayaks & boards within the harbour require harbour permits. [68] During World War II a petroleum warfare site consisting of four flame throwers were located on 'A' Head. Eight water-tube boilers provided steam to the engines, which produced a maximum of 11,000 indicated horsepower (8,200kW) when forced. Commercial dive boats and club boats launching from harbour. The wreck was blown by explosives to clear the way for the Winfrith pipeline. +44(0)1305824555info@underwaterexplorers.co.uk VIDEOS ABOUT US | CONTACT HOME BLOG SALES In-store Sales Our Brands Santi Diving Go Shop online Online In September 2022, a project costing 26m for a deep-water berth upgrade was due to begin, intended to be completed by May 2023. WebDespite weather warnings (which the captain may or may not have received), the ship headed northeast out of the harbor on a track to Portland, Maine. [43], Royal Navy operations ceased on 21 July 1995 and the harbour was sold on 29 March 1996. In 1946, Hoverfly R-4Bs began operating from the base's playing fields, which were transformed into a landing ground. Today, Salsette lies on her port side in 45m with her starboard rail around 32m. [3], The lower freeboard was required by her use of armoured gun turretsa heavy type of rotating gun mounting of the mid-and-late 19th century very different from what would later be known as "turrets". She went first to Malta for temporary repairs, then on to England for permanent repairs at Chatham Dockyard, using her twin screws to steer for the entire voyage. Please click here to go to the Home page and here to go to the Navigation page, Please click on the name of a ship to see pictures of that shipwreck. The Countess of Erne is probably the most popular dive-site in Portland Harbour. The Britannia Cruise Terminal, which was opened in July 1999 and again refurbished in 2005 has seen the likes of Royal Caribbean, Azamara, Club Cruises, Saga and Crystal Cruises use it as a start point for excursions in the wider Dorset region and beyond. [11], The initial southern breakwaters were built between 1849 and 1872; meanwhile, various defences were created to defend the harbour. Despite her 1914 scuttling, the Royal Navy included Hood on its sale list in both 1916 and 1917. WebPortland harbour wrecks accessible by boat only. She took part in combined exercises of the Channel Fleet, Mediterranean Fleet, and Home Fleet off the coast of Portugal from 5 to 9 August 1903. WebStrong ebb currents pushing against the opposing forces of the ocean can build enormous swells in a very short time, threatening to overcome unprepared ships crossing the river bars. WebIn total, 418,585 troops and 144,093 vehicles would embark from Portland and Weymouth Harbours. The Verne Citadel, designed by Captain Crosman R.E., was built at Verne Hill between 1860-81: the 56 acre fortress was designed for 1000 troops and had gun emplacements facing seawards on three sides. The combined closure of all Portland-based establishments was believed to have cost the area 4,500 jobs, along with a loss of 40 million in the area's economy, according to a study carried out for Weymouth and Portland Borough Council in 1995. This article is about the harbour in England. This 1916 ton steamer torpedoed in Lyme Bay in July 1917 and stands 5 to 6 metre in places. LOST OFF OF PORTLAND WITH ALL LIVES JANUARY 26TH 1932, ITEMS RETRIEVED FROM WRECK OF HM SUBMARINE M2. She measures 260 and lies on her port side standing 5 to 6 metres in places. A 3081 ton steamship that was sunk in January 1918 by a German U-boat while carrying military stores, cattle fodder and military vehicles. [77] At the C Pier Head Battery a World War II petroleum warfare site was constructed. Visible Anyone can find this group. SHE BECAME A TOTAL LOSS. The repairs began after she paid off on 5 December 1902 and she transferred to Devonport for a refit upon their completion. Unfortunately, conditions worsened quickly and the vessel was caught in a major storm with strong winds, high seas, and snow-impaired visibility. Going far out from the area could lead to deeper grounds with depths ranging in excess of 35 metres but sticking to shore, especially in the kelp beds, divers can see plenty of sea life, crabs and lobsters. Additionally Osprey Quay became an 80 acres regeneration project commissioned by South West Regional Development Agency in 2001. The Royal Yachting Association had expressed interest in securing a suitable site locally for a number of decades, in order to make use of the harbour's natural advantages. The James Fennel also can be drifted or done as part of a drift dive. [56] At the end of Castletown village is the former Dockyard Police Station - also Grade II Listed. Construction of the harbour began in 1849; when completed in 1872, its 520-hectare (1,300-acre) surface area made it the largest human-made harbour in the world,[1] and remains one of the largest in the world today. The tidal range within the Harbour is small and in the order of 1.5-2.3m. [76], The Weymouth end breakwater features the C Pier Head Battery on the southern tip. +44(0)1305824555info@underwaterexplorers.co.uk VIDEOS ABOUT US | CONTACT HOME BLOG SALES In-store Sales Our Brands Santi Diving Go Shop online Online A purpose-built pier projecting into the harbour from the factory was used for torpedo testing and practice firing. The Dredger (Breakwater wall down to 12m). The arm is known as the Bincleaves Groyne. [61], Situated across Portland Harbour's four breakwater arms are various defensive structures and related monuments. [4], Coaling facilities were initially integrated into the design of the inner breakwater. She collided with a Norwegian ship in 1889 and sank, now lying on a sand and shingle seabed. HISTORY. [45] The harbour is designated as EU shellfish water and supports an important shellfish fishery and a marine ecosystem of high importance for biodiversity. [74] The same site featured a World War I torpedo station. Hood, the last of the eight Royal Sovereign-class battleships to be built, differed significantly from the other ships of her class in that she had a forward freeboard of only 11feet 3inches (3.43m) compared to 19feet 6inches (5.94m) of the other ships. Entering at the end of the promenade and walking down the stairs to the beach, on the other hand, should take divers to a defunct old sewage pipeline which still attracts much sea life provided they take a bearing of 270 degrees. This British armed tug was sunk by accident while towing a target in August 1946 and now lies on a shingle seabed uprights and intact. Countess of Erne (7 to 15m). The battery was opened in 1901 and was armed with two 12-pounder quick-firing (QF) guns for anti-torpedo craft defence. [40] In 1984, two large accommodation blocks, totalling 25-30 million, were built in Castletown as barracks for Royal Navy personnel, along with a sports centre. ON VOYAGE FROM FREDERIKSTAD TO PORT NATAL. Going out on a bearing of 240 degrees right under slipway can be rewarding and lead to depths in excess of 17 to 18 metres. She lies upright. [10] The breakwaters were declared complete by HRH Edward the Prince of Wales on 10 August 1872. It is believed there have been at least 1,000 shipwrecks along the Dorset coast over the centuries. [15] In 1897 and 1898, the ship served as part of the International Squadron, a multinational force made up of ships of the Austro-Hungarian Navy, French Navy, Imperial German Navy, Italian Royal Navy (Regia Marina), Imperial Russian Navy, and Royal Navy that intervened in the 1897-1898 Greek uprising on Crete. With a long maritime history, the Portland coastline and harbour has seen many kinds of ships sail through its waters. WebThe Portland Harbor Museum's exhibit presents the variety of shipwreck causes, both man-made and natural that occurred over the years. The areas most popular drift dive which offers plenty of activities for divers at all levels, including scalloping and sea life identification. This can be an exciting dive is planned correctly but divers should be aware that an outward tide will rapidly move them towards the eddy race after Grove point and beside Portland Bill. There is some sea life amid the large rocks. Located as it is inside the breakwater, the wreck is well-protected from wind and waves. Has plenty of marine life and is well broken up with only the ribs and plates showing with its highest point about 2 metres off the sea bed. This site offers some of the most enchanting sea life scenes in the area and is the spot where authors of this site first witnessed the Dance of the Cuttlefish, an amazing scene involving a dozen cuttlefish swaying in one place replicating the colours of each other. The development is designed to increase berthing opportunities and provide more operational land. This facility was open by Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh in April 2009 and is situated directly adjacent to the National Sailing Academy. The wreck's hull structure remains largely in tact and makes her one of Her crew numbered 690 officers and ratings. The Countess of Erne is probably the most popular dive-site in Portland Harbour. The Portland Harbour Revision Order 2010 provides for the creation of new berths and hardstand areas at the port in order to allow increased commercial activities over the next 50 years. The armoured deck was 3 inches thick over the machinery, but thinned to 2.5 inches (64mm) outside the central citadel and ran to the ends of the ship. [6] Bilge keels were fitted in 1894 which improved her manoeuvrability. WebDespite weather warnings (which the captain may or may not have received), the ship headed northeast out of the harbor on a track to Portland, Maine. These plans were not carried through, however a floating dry dock was introduced in 1914, enabling Portland to function as a repair and refit facility,[4] and by 1914 Portland was officially listed as a Naval Dockyard (remaining so until 1959). These new facilities have been identified as part of a master plan and business strategy developed by Portland Port. [73] On the far end of the North Eastern Breakwater, on the Weymouth side, is the site of B Pier Head Battery. A NORWEGIAN BARQUE (GRIMSTAD) GT 607. [2] The Royal Sovereigns had reverted to a higher freeboard after several classes of low-freeboard vessel had been constructed, the last being the Trafalgar class. Depending on the tide, divers can get a good drift dive in this area. This is a British cargo ship of 5000 tons lying South of Portland.