August 17th 2024.
For over a century, a British warship lay undiscovered on the ocean floor, its once proud hull now covered in barnacles and seaweed. It was a haunting reminder of the brutal realities of World War I, when the ship was tragically sunk by a German U-boat. But now, thanks to the efforts of specialist divers from Lost In Waters Deep, the mystery of the sunken vessel may finally be solved.
According to a recent post on their Facebook page, the team believes they have located the wreck of the HMS Hawke, which went down on October 15, 1914, off the coast of Scotland. In a phone interview with CNN, diver Will Schwarz described the incredible discovery, saying, "She's lying on her starboard side and seems to be quite intact. The guns are still polished and in impeccable condition, which is truly amazing. But we must never forget that 524 brave sailors lost their lives aboard her."
The sinking of the HMS Hawke was a swift and tragic event, lasting only seven minutes after the torpedo struck. It is believed that the ship's ammunition storage detonated upon impact, leading to the loss of 524 lives, including many young cadets under the age of 18. Schwarz shared that the youngest victim was only 14 years old.
To locate the wreck, Lost In Waters Deep and Buchan Divers, two organizations dedicated to discovering Scottish shipwrecks, gathered evidence such as logbooks from the attacking German U-boat and survivor accounts from nearby ships. With this information, they were able to narrow down the potential location and began scanning the seabed for any signs of the sunken vessel.
After searching for some time, the team stumbled upon a large object on the seabed that appeared to have a ship-like shape. Upon diving to the depths of 110 meters, they were met with the breathtaking sight of the long-lost HMS Hawke. Due to the depth and challenging conditions, the divers were only able to stay for a short time and returned for a more thorough exploration a few days later.
Despite not finding any definitive proof such as a named bell, the divers are confident that they have discovered the HMS Hawke. Schwarz explained, "There's only one warship in that area that was registered as lost, and the fact that it matches the features of an Edgar-class destroyer leads us to believe that it can only be the Hawke." He also mentioned the possibility of recovering an identifying feature in the future, but stated, "There's no doubt in our minds that this is the HMS Hawke."
The discovery of the HMS Hawke is not only a significant historical find, but also a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made during World War I. While there may not be any visible human remains, the wreck still holds remnants of the brave men who served aboard her. As Schwarz described, "You can see cups and saucers, navigation equipment, and even parts of the bridge. She's in surprisingly good condition, with the teak decks still intact." The HMS Hawke may have been lost at sea for over a century, but thanks to the efforts of dedicated divers, her story will never be forgotten.
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