My father Peter Mitchell, the author of this website, passed away at the end of June 2015. Submerged.co.uk was Dad’s pride and joy, mainly because of the huge amount of comments and emails he received about the different shipwreck stories he’d written here. It gave Dad great happiness when people got in touch to share memories of the wrecks – it felt like discovering a secret history together, of events rarely discussed but which had had a huge impact on many lives. And it was a tangible human connection to the dramatic and often tragic events depicted in the stories.
I will be maintaining Submerged indefinitely, so there is no danger of this website disappearing. When I read his stories about raising the lump and discovering (cough) the Mary Rose, I can hear the smile in his voice as if he was still talking right to me.
Dad made several documentary movies about shipwrecks which proved popular over the years. He would sell them on DVD direct by mail order. I have now uploaded all those DVDs to YouTube so you can watch the full length documentaries for free online.
You can read Dave Page’s article The Longest Wreck Walk, which is a project about the legends of Jesus and Joseph of Arimathea visiting Cornwall which he and Dad had researched on and off for years. They were still working on it when Dad became ill.
Below is Dad’s original introduction to the site – like the rest of the site, I have left it intact. Even though Dad is gone, this website, like Dad’s books and DVDs, is a reminder that the past is still very much part of our present.
Chris Mitchell
March 2016
Plymouth Scuba Diving: Submerged Productions
What’s this website about?
My name’s Peter Mitchell. For the last 40 years I’ve been a keen scuba diver. During the last 20 years I’ve published several books and DVDs describing the histories and locations of various shipwrecks around the coast of Devon, England. (Have a look at the book and DVD covers to your right for more details).
submerged.co.uk is designed to showcase some of the best bits from the books and be a useful archive of maritime shipwreck history, both for the Devon coast and elsewhere around the world.
I also contribute to Submerged’s two sister sites Navy Photos and Cyber Heritage. We like to think we are ‘turning the pages of history, above and below the waves’.
If you want to stay informed of when new articles and information are added to the submerged.co.uk site, please sign up for the Submerged newsletter by entering your email address in the mailing list box at the top of each page. Your email address will be kept confidential and not used for any other purpose.
All the best, Peter Mitchell
How to buy Submerged Books and DVDs:
Books: You can buy The Wreckers Guide To South West Devon Part 1 and Part 2 on Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com. They are both available as digital books to read on your Kindle device or using the Kindle app on your iPad or Android tablet. The print versions of the books are no longer available.
DVDs: Submerged DVDs are no longer available to purchase. You can watch the full length, unedited DVD documentaries online. Please go to the respective DVD page and press play on the YouTube video to watch the DVD.
Site Index:
Devon Shipwrecks
There are hundreds of shipwrecks off the Devon coast – this section contains a selection of articles about individual wrecks detailing the history and fate of the ship along with the all-important contemporary dive experience. All of these articles come from The Wrecker’s Guide To South West Devon Volumes One and Two.
World Wrecks
Devon is not the only diving fruit. Here are in-depth reports about expeditions to shipwreck diver’s paradises – Scotland’s Scapa Flow, where the World War One German naval fleet was scuttled ; and Micronesia’s Truk Lagoon, last resting place of the Japanese WWII fleet.
Special Projects
This section covers Wreck Walks and particular shipwreck related topics. South Africa yeilds a great shipwreck trail starting from Cape Town, and Falmouth gives up more of its wreck secrets.Tombstones often help you find a wreck and provide an endless source of of shipwreck tales, and there is a Submarine section to dive and explore.The South West was extensively bombed during World War Two, and from time immemorial Plymouth has been a Navy Port. You are bound to come across all sorts of ammunition. Bombs and Bullets tells you all about them
About Us
More information about the people who have helped produced the books and videos and how to get in touch.
Links
Other diving-related websites you might find useful.
James M Gray says
A very interesting web site – my main interest was concerning HMS WARSPITE at the battle of Narvik as my father (long now deceased) was I believe from his records Chief Gunners Mate.
Thanks again for a very interesting web site
Ian Lavill says
As a keen fisherman i am looking for a wreck map, ideally that can be uploaded on a computor that has a listing of plotted wrecks in the Plymouth area, so i may know where to find them and the history of each one…….then locate and fish them. Most papper maps come in sections and can be bought for around £20 but only say WK for wreck. Do you know of any such thing in your experiance, by the way good work!
colin strickland says
Very informative website. I have been researching the sailing ship Herzogon Cecilie as I have discovered some 16mm movie film of the wrecking of this ship in some family home movies. The film was taken from a cliff in devon looking down on the wreck as it was being battered by the waves. Now I know more of the history of the grain carrier.
Thank you.
Mary Leavey says
My name is Mary. I was born Mary Aquilina. (my mothers maiden name). My husband sent you a email.
My Grandfather was Carmelo Aquilina. He worked in the navy on board the HMS Hardy. He was one of 3 Maltese survivors, the others were Giuseppe Micallef (who had shrapnel wounds) and Toni Briffa. My granddad was the wardroom cook on the Hardy. When i was given a piece of paper which a friend had downloaded from the internet, i recognised my granddad right away. I was told by his daughter, my aunty, that her dad had dressed up as a women when his ship was lost at sea, at the battle of Narvik. She told me that she thinks he was awarded a VC. Any Photo’s that i have seen of that time of my granddad, is with Winston Churchill. He stands out because he was quite short and all the clothes he is wearing look so big on him. My Mother has a few Photo’s of her dad in Navy uniform and Aunty said she is sure she has a few. I will try and get them,and scan them into the computer if you would like them.
Regards
Mary Leavey
bernard hallas says
There was only one V.C. awarded at the Battle of Narvik i/e
Captain Warburton Lee. V.C. HMS Hardy. The Hardy was not lost at sea ut crashed on the rocks in ofotfjord Narvik. The crew were helped by a Norwegion family who supplied dry clothing for them to wear. Many were dressaed in womens clothes including the Mothers wedding Dress. She is very famous in Narvik’s story of the ba ttle.
Bernard Hallas. Corporal of Royal Mrines. HMS Warspite 1939 to 44
Jennie Constable says
I have some questions about stills of the shipwreck of HMS Montagu off Lundy Island which you may be able to help me with. Please could you email me at the above address and I will give you more details.
Many thanks.
hugh mccready says
would any of your books cover the wreck. ss bantry. lost 1934. kellys coal boat. collision. what other boat was involved? my great,great grandfather was lost along with all others on board. is this correct? no surviviors? ships position is sth. of portsmouth. east of isle of white. any info on this vessel please e. mail me thanks.
Sean Kingsley says
Dear Peter, Could you advise me if you have come across any archaeological materials in your research fished up from the sea in nets?
I’m conducting research for a paper into the impacts of fishing (trawlers, scallop dredges, potting and netting) on underwater cultural heritage both off the UK and globally and I’m putting together a database of all finds found in this way from shipwrecks and submerged prehistoric settlements.
Thanks in advance for your help.
Best wishes,
Sean
Ron Cope says
Peter, Great to see your new website format. Thanks for all the assitance you have offered by letting me use your Narvik section to drum up interest on these two famous battles in 10th and 13th April 1940. I am now well on the way to finishing the book but only because of your website. Anyone out there with any information or associations to the ships Hardy, Hunter, Havock, Hostile and Hotspur (1940) please contact me.
[email protected] Thanks once more Peter.
Nick Hide says
Hi
I saw your comment on the Flickr website where you mentioned finding a second inscription for Capt E G W Davidson on the Davidson headstone in Thurlestone Churchyard.
You were commenting on the photo of Capt Davidson’s grave on Islay
If you are still interested to know more about Capt Davidson and the Otranto disaster of 1918 please feel to contact me at any time.I will willingly share the story, images, and the research which I have completed.
I am the grandson referred to in the original posting and have researched this part of my ancestry in some detail.
Best wishes,
Nick Hide
London
Dom Russell says
Hello,
I’ve just watched the documentary about A7. It was very good and have posted it on my Facebook. It is very important to me and my family that such things are done well.
Kindest Regards
Dominic Russell
Robin Bradley says
Hi Chris,
I’m writing a book about bass fishing (“A bass angler’s life”) and wanted to include some information about the Ben Asdale and the wreck at Polridmouth from your website. Would that be OK?
Nigel Bridges says
I have an interesting set of letters relating to the 1852 Birkenhead disaster that I have transcribed onto a pdf file.
MISSON JEAN PIERRE says
Just conclusively identified WWII submarine HMS TETRARCH as being in 70-75 m , off TABARKA , TUNISIA . Position :
37° 04′ 32″ N 8° 52′ 34″ E
Full report available on request : [email protected]
Nigel Rowe says
My name is Nigel Rowe & I have just finished reading The Doomed Destroyer. I am the nephew of Leading Steward James Rowe who lost his life on HMS Hunter. My wife and I are flying to Narvik in May, to visit my uncle’s grave. My thanks to Ron Cope for a fantastic read.
Mark Barnatt says
Hi Chris I was wondering if I could use some of your late Dads footage from climbing the mast at Ganges. I am making a tribute video to the Ganges boys and would like to include footage of the climb up the mast. My Dad too was a Ganges boy. I have no commercial interest. This is purely fo my own hobby of creating videos.
Regards
Mark Barnatt
Chris Mitchell says
Hi Mark – please go ahead. Best, Chris
Ron Cope says
Message for Nigel Rowe [re-above] ‘Doomed Destroyer’, glad you enjoyed the book it took a lot of time to research and put together. I had an E Mail from a relative of your Uncle early into writing I gave her the information by then collected but never heard from her again. I am sure I have her details in my files in case she does not know the book was out last year and can be purchased on ‘Amazon Books UK’, or direct from me and signed.
As matter of interest, when I heard that the Duke of Edinburgh had retired from Royal Duties and enjoyed reading. I sent him a copy first ‘Attack at Dawn’ then ‘Doomed Destroyer’. I swiftly had a letter via his Personal Secretary to thank me and they were now in his personal library at Sandringham. Best Wishes Ron Cope
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jere Dutt says
Hello Chris,
What a fantastic site ! Your Father created something special here ! I am inquiring as to the photos from the wreck of the Jebba. I am an amatuer philatelist and occasionally write for a club journal dedicated to France and Colonies mail. I would like to use a couple of the photos from your site in my article. I have a mailed envelope that was recovered from the wreck ! Is that possible? Hope so ! I do not get paid for the article nor is the journal a for profit enterprise. Please let me know if that is ok. Thanks in advance. Jere Dutt
bryan portwig says
what a fantastic link – especially since my fascination with ship wrecks started nigh on 56 years ago at the age of 6 and continues to this day – mainly south african ship wrecks – many thanks
Paul Woodhams says
This is a great article and one I have visited a few times over the last few years.
I am making a YouTube video of Hells Mouth and would like to post a link back to this for reference.
Would you mind if I used one of your images of the Cecil Japan ?
I took some pictures myself back around the time but not very good.
Paul Woodhams says
sorry please amend .. Secil Japan !
clive robinson says
Hi I just found your site Boston Whaler Adventures. I was very suprised to see an article on the ferry SWIFT. I remember this boat when I was a young boy being steam, and later when I had a summer job on the Western Belle , Swift had been converted to Diesel. I now live in Canada, Vancouver Island, and my hobby is restoration of old pond yachts. I was given in the mid 80’s a lump of wood that had been carved into a boat hull, It was found up in the attic of an old house in St Helier , Jersey. . I have recarved it and built it into the Swift as she was in her last years. I would post a picture or two of it. It is a full working model and gets sailed now and then. If you are interested let me know where to post. Cheers, Clive
Peter Brown says
Hello,
I am researching for a follow-up to a book I wrote a few years ago titled ‘Voices From the Arctic Convoys’, and am currently researching for a follow-up book. I’m also familiarising myself with Youtube as a platform for my books, and would like to ask if I may use some pieces from your video ‘Atlantic convoy – Murmansk and Malta’ on Youtube for the 1.5-2 minute video for the book. The sequences will each be just a few seconds long, and will include stills.
Thanking you,
Peter C Brown
Frank Seville says
Hello
Is it possible to pass on my email address to Alan Jamieson, great nephew of Robert W Nagle, who died in the loss of the submarine A7. His post is under the “Missing” article. Alan would like to find a photo of his father. I believe I may have two.
Thank you.
Frank Seville