Deep Wreck Diver

This image shows one of my favourite details on the wreck of SMS Brummer. The shattered remains of her searchlight iris, lying open on the seabed more than a century after it last saw service.

Searchlights like this were absolutely critical in First World War naval combat. During the Battle of Jutland, they were used to identify ships at night, illuminate targets, signal to friendly vessels, and coordinate manoeuvres in the chaos of close range fighting. When fleets met in darkness or poor visibility, a few seconds of light could decide who fired first, who was recognised as friend or foe, and who survived.


Seeing the iris mechanism still recognisable on the wreck really brings home how complex and deliberate these ships were. This was not just armour and guns, but a carefully integrated fighting system designed for fleet action at sea.

I will be releasing a video later today that looks more closely at Brummer, including features like this and why they matter when you are trying to understand how these ships actually fought. Keep an eye out if you want to see this wreck in more detail.


Photo by Bob Anderson of MV Clasina


#SMSBrummer #ScapaFlow #WreckDiving

2 days ago (edited) | [YT] | 169

Deep Wreck Diver

Something that often surprises people when they see 12 pounder ammunition on a wreck is that each round was made up of two separate parts.



First was the cartridge case. This was made of brass and held the propellant charge. Brass was used because it sealed the breech properly when fired and could withstand the heat and pressure of repeated use. On wrecks, these cases often survive extremely well and are usually the first thing divers recognise.



The second part was the projectile itself, sometimes called the head. This was made of steel and carried the explosive charge. It was fitted into the mouth of the brass case before loading, creating a complete round ready to be fired.



Seeing these components separated on the seabed tells its own story. Brass cases may lie scattered or stacked where they were stored, while steel projectiles corrode more heavily and can be harder to spot. Together they are a clear reminder of how these guns were worked in practice, and how merchant ships were armed and prepared to defend themselves during wartime.



It is a small technical detail, but one that adds a lot of context when you come across this kind of ammunition underwater.



#12pdr

#NavalAmmunition

#WreckDiving

#TechnicalDiving

#DeepWreck

#UKDiving

#MaritimeHistory

#WW1

#Shipwreck

#UnderwaterHistory

#DeepWreckDiver

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1 week ago | [YT] | 76

Deep Wreck Diver

Welcome to 2026!



A new year always feels like a chance to reset and look ahead, so I would love to know what you are most looking forward to over the next twelve months.



For me, there are already a few exciting things on the horizon. A return to Britannic in April is right at the top of the list. There is also another hopeful attempt to dive HMS Victory, which has been unfinished business for a while now. Fingers firmly crossed that Darkstar will be operating again this year, as that opens up some big possibilities. Add to that plenty of trips to the South West, and a few projects that I cannot share just yet, and it is shaping up to be an interesting year.



Over to you. What are you hoping 2026 has in store?



#newyear #2026 #diving #technicaldiving #wreckdiving #deepwreckdiver #adventure #lookingahead

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1 week ago | [YT] | 176

Deep Wreck Diver

Apologies everyone, Christmas 🎄 has got in the way and I have not managed to put together my usual Sunday evening YouTube video 😢 I know, totally unacceptable 🤣🤣
Normal service should be back next weekend though. In the meantime, it might be the perfect chance to catch up on something you missed, maybe even one of my slightly unloved videoslist=PLSks_DrnduzW6aybwDliOy2xV9AqvDwlY&si=Eeq2Vi146qsZbse-

2 weeks ago | [YT] | 130

Deep Wreck Diver

What do you personally consider the maximum safe depth to dive on air, and why?
Not what you were taught years ago, and not the deepest dive you’ve ever done once or twice.
What depth do you genuinely feel remains sensible for you when factors such as narcosis, gas density, etc are all taken into account?
Interested to hear different perspectives and the factors that shape them.
#deepdiving #technicaldiving #narcosis

2 weeks ago | [YT] | 73

Deep Wreck Diver

This fragment of Royal Navy plate was a key feature that enabled us to identify the wreck of HMS Hoste, lost on 20 December 1916. Resting in nearly 100 metres of water, the vessel sank after a catastrophic collision with HMS Negro. Although badly damaged, Hoste attempted to limp back to Scapa Flow, but heavy seas caused the ship’s back to break, with the stern tearing away. Only the exceptional seamanship of the crew of HMS Marvel prevented a far greater loss of life.
My video of this dive - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2la-E...

#HMSNegro #HMSHoste #WW1History #RoyalNavy
#LostInWatersDeep #Gasperados
#RememberTheFallen

3 weeks ago | [YT] | 27

Deep Wreck Diver

On this day in 1916, the Royal Navy destroyers HMS Negro and HMS Hoste were lost in the North Sea following a tragic collision in heavy seas while returning to Scapa Flow.

Negro sank rapidly after an explosion of her depth charges, with the loss of 51 officers and men. Hoste was also lost later, though many of her crew were rescued.

In 2023, I was proud to be part of the Gasperados team that helped locate and identify both HMS Negro and HMS Hoste, working as part of a Lost In Waters Deep expedition. After more than a century, both ships were finally found.

🎥 The discoveries and dives are featured in a video on my YouTube channel:
👉 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWI-r...

Today we remember the ships — and the men who served aboard them.
Lest we forget. 🕯️

#HMSNegro #HMSHoste #WW1History #RoyalNavy
#LostInWatersDeep #Gasperados #RememberTheFallen

3 weeks ago | [YT] | 150

Deep Wreck Diver

In foul weather during the early hours of 16 December 1917, the crew of the SS Foylemore were abruptly awakened by an explosion on the starboard side of their 2,371-ton vessel. Fortunately, the ship settled slowly enough for the men to gather warm clothing and board their lifeboats, and no casualties were reported.

In August 2024, we dived on what appears to be the most likely candidate for the wreck and recovered crockery belonging to the Furness Withy Line, the company that had chartered the Foylemore. This discovery strongly supports the identification of the wreck.

the wreck is located in 75 metres due South of Fowey in Cornwall, UK

#deepwreckdiving #wreckdiving #ww1 #deepwreckdiver

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4 weeks ago | [YT] | 129

Deep Wreck Diver

“The Titanic’s sister ship Olympic was the ONLY civilian ship to sink a U‑boat.”

Great story. Repeated in books, documentaries, even museums.

But… it’s not actually true.

New video is live: I go back to Admiralty files, German U‑boat records and wreck evidence to show what really happened when Olympic rammed U‑103 — and look at other “civilian” ships that also sank U‑boats.

The myth doesn’t survive contact with the evidence.

🎥 Watch here: https://youtu.be/Qx968z7pfMs

#RMSOlympic #Titanic #Uboat #MythDebunked #NavalHistory #DeepWreckDiver

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4 weeks ago | [YT] | 68

Deep Wreck Diver

Bob Anderson, skipper of the MV Clasina, stands beside a forward gun of the SMS Kronprinz Wilhelm, a 26,000-ton WWI battleship lying upside-down at 36 m in Scapa Flow.
What makes this even wilder? It’s a selfie—he set up the lights, hit the timer, and swam into place. Unreal.
My video of this dive shows exactly where this picture was taken - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rbffu...

#ScapaFlow #WreckDiving #UnderwaterPhotography #EpicSelfie #DivingLife #SMSKronprinzWilhelm

1 month ago | [YT] | 143