Hms Port Napier Wreck

Field Value
Wreck Category wreck showing any portion of hull or superstructure
Hms port napier Wreck Location
Marine Coordinates (DMM) 		57 15.956 N,5 41.251 W
Latitude, Longitude
Decimal Degrees
  • Latitude: 57.265933
  • Longitude: -5.687517
Wreck Depth -2.62 m
Water Depth 14 m
Water Level Effect covers and uncovers
Vertical Datum Approximate Lowest Astronomical Tide
Name HMS PORT NAPIER
Type minelayer
Flag BRITISH
Length 109.7 m
Width 21 m
Sonar Length 163.9
Sonar Width 40.4
Shadow Height 13
Orientation 305
Tonnage 9600
Tonnage Type gross
Cargo armament
Conspic Visual not visually conspicuous
Conspic Radar not radar conspicuous
Date Sunk Nov 27, 1940
Bottom Texture Sand
Original Detection Year 1940
Last Detection Year 2019
Original Source other
Surveying Details H01135/40 4.1.41 STF IN 571559N, 054111W. (ADMIRALTY). - FNM 3047/40. H01135/40 26.6.53 NOW CHARTED AS DWP, LYING NW/SE. (AUTHORITY NOT STATED). NE 2251. H01135/40 7.10.54 BEACON ESTABLISHED 109DEG, 8.13C FROM RUDHA ARD TRESNISH TRIG MARK, OR 111.5DEG, 11.8C FROM KYLE AKIN LT. (FLAG OFFICER, SCOTLAND). - NM 2181/54. 7.11.68 RN BOMB & MINE DISPOSAL TEAM HAVE SALVAGED 600 MINES AND 4000 ROUNDS AMMUNITION FROM WK. VESSEL LYING ON HER SIDE AND THERE IS STILL A POSSIBILITY OF MINES REMAINING UNDERNEATH. (WAR RISK INSURANCE, BOT, TELECON REFERRING TO LETTER, NO.268/2 TO COMCLYDE). 13.1.69 D OF C (N) WILL NOT SELL VESSEL DUE POSSIBLE DANGER FROM MINES/EXPLOSIVES. SOME DOUBT REMAINS AS TO EXACT NUMBER OF MINES ONBOARD WHEN VESSEL SANK. (N/CP85.56668/68). 6.5.69 BEACON NOT OBSERVED ON AIR PHOTOGRAPH OF WK. (PHOTOGRAMMETRY). 8.12.69 DIVED ON. SEVERAL PARTS OF THE SUPERSTRUCTURE FOUND LYING SOUTH OF THE WK. THE DECK OF THE WK IS LITTERED WITH LOOSE CABLES. (NOTTINGHAM MINES RESEARCH AND EXPLORATION GROUP, 1.12.69). H2877/70 8.7.71 WK POSN NOW 571558N, 054111W. BOW, 210DEG, 6140FT, AND STERN, 206DEG, 6160FT, FROM DONALD MURCHINSON'S MONUMENT. POSITION OF BEACON IS 109.5DEG, 5100FT FROM RUDHA ARD TRESNISH TRIANGULATION MARK. (HMS HECLA, REPORT OF SURVEY DTD 18.2.70). H1288/75 10.11.75 POSN 571558N, 054111W CONFIRMED. WK LIES IN GEN DEPTH OF 60FT AND DRIES 8-10FT. IT IS IN ONE PIECE, LYING ON ITS SIDE, AND STILL HAS AMMUNITION ONBOARD. (R R WEBB, 12.10.75). NC 2540. 5.4.82 LARGELY INTACT, LYING ON STBD SIDE. SOME PORT SIDE PLATING BLOWN OFF, OTHERWISE STRUCTURALLY SAFE. (BSAC WK REGISTER, VOL II). H4458/80 22.11.83 BN MARKING WK IS MISSING. (HMS LONDONDERRY, HN 3/83). - NM 3165/83. HH100/351/03 12.10.90 LIES IN 20MTRS ON HER SIDE. PROPELLERS HAVE BEEN REMOVED BY AN UNAUTHORISED SALVOR. NAVAL SALVAGE TEAM IN HMS BARGLOW REMOVED 526 MINES IN 1955/6 AND DETONATED THE REMAINING 16 IN SITU. WK IS POPULAR WITH SPORT DIVERS. APPLICATION MADE FOR PERMISSION TO REMOVE PROP. SHAFTS, WIRE CABLE FROM DECK AND OTHER FITTINGS. (DISPOSAL SALES (CONTRACTS 3) MEMO, 2.10.90 AND ENCLOSED LETTER FROM NORTH EAST DIVERS, 1.5.90). NCA. HH272/610/04 DELETE E AND W CARDINAL LT BUOYS. (HMSML GLEANER). - NM 2390/95. 30.9.99 WK LIES ON HER SIDE WITH BOWS TOWARDS THE SHORE. LARGELY INTACT. DECK PLANKING STILL IN PLACE AS ARE MANY GUNS. (DIVER MAGAZINE, SEP '99). NCA. 1.2.00 INTACT AND UPRIGHT MINE ANCHOR TROLLEY LIES ON SEABED OFF THE STERN OF WK. WRECKAGE VISIBLE CLEAR OF THE SURFACE AT ALL BUT HIGH TIDE. STATED TO BE MARKED BY E & W CARD BUOYS. DIAGRAMS AND PHOTOS. (DIVER MAGAZINE FEB'2000). AMEND TO STP. BR STD. HH272/610/06 3.2.00 CONFIMED THAT BUOYS DO NOT EXIST. (HM OFFICE, KYLE OF LOCHALSH). NCA. 25.7.06 LIES ON STARBOARD SIDE ON SANDY SEABED. BOW, RAILINGS & GUN-TURRETS COVERED IN MARINE LIFE. SHALLOWER PARTS OF WRECK SUCH AS INTACT MASTS ARE COLONISED BY KELP. (DIVER MAGAZINE JUL '06) 6.10.07 [EUT] POSN: 5715.951N, 0541.252W. NE 2540. SEP 2020000229367 23.4.19 EXAM�D 23.4.19 IN 5715.937N, 0541.196W [WGD]. LEAST M/B DEPTH -2.62MTRS IN GEN DEPTH 14MTRS. LENGTH 163.9MTRS, WIDTH 40.4MTRS, HT 13MTRS. ORIENTATION 305/125 DEGS. (MERITAITO, HI 1568). INTACT, LYING ON STARBOARD SIDE. SOME SCATTERED DEBRIS TO THE SOUTH. AMEND TO AREA ST DRIES 2.7MTRS.
Last Amended Date Dec 3, 2020
Limits

Circumstances of loss

MERCHANT VESSEL CONVERTED FOR MINE-LAYING. SANK FOLLOWING A FIRE WHILE LOADING MINES, AND RUNNING AGROUND IN LOCH ALSH. (DIVER MAGAZINE, JUL'06)

General Comments

INTACT, LIES ON STARBOARD SIDE

Limits: features shown as areas and not points

WRECK MAP LOADING ... 57 15.956 N,5 41.251 W
Hms Port Napier on Wreck Map Hms Port Napier Wreck on Google Map

More Minelayer Wrecks:

Nearby Wrecks:

FAQ

Where is the HMS PORT NAPIER wreck located?

The HMS PORT NAPIER wreck is located at coordinates 57 15.956 N,5 41.251 W.

How deep is the HMS PORT NAPIER and where exactly is it located?

The HMS PORT NAPIER lies at a depth of about -2.62 meters and is located at coordinates 57 15.956 N,5 41.251 W.

How deep is the seabed around the HMS PORT NAPIER?

The seabed around the HMS PORT NAPIER lies at approximately 14 meters deep.

When did the HMS PORT NAPIER sink?

The HMS PORT NAPIER sank on Nov 27, 1940.

When was the wreck of the HMS PORT NAPIER discovered?

The wreck of the HMS PORT NAPIER was discovered in 1940.

What country did the HMS PORT NAPIER belong to?

The HMS PORT NAPIER belonged to BRITISH.

What cargo was the HMS PORT NAPIER carrying?

The HMS PORT NAPIER was carrying armament.

What was the tonnage of the HMS PORT NAPIER?

The HMS PORT NAPIER had a tonnage of 9600 tons.

What type of wreck is the HMS PORT NAPIER?

The HMS PORT NAPIER is classified as a minelayer.

Back to Wrecks