Hmsm Perseus Wreck
| Field |
Value |
| Wreck Category |
non-dangerous wreck |
Hmsm perseus Wreck Location
Marine Coordinates (DMM)
|
37 59.94 N,20 44.96 E |
Latitude, Longitude
Decimal Degrees
|
- Latitude: 37.999000
- Longitude: 20.749333
|
| Water Depth |
90 m
|
| Water Level Effect |
always under water/submerged |
| Vertical Datum |
Lowest Low Water |
| Name |
HMSM PERSEUS |
|
Type
|
submarine
|
| Flag |
GB |
| Length |
88.4 m |
| Width |
8.8 m |
| Draught |
4 |
| Tonnage |
2040 |
| Tonnage Type |
displacement |
| Conspic Visual |
not visually conspicuous |
| Conspic Radar |
not radar conspicuous |
| Date Sunk |
Dec 6, 1941
|
| Bottom Texture |
Mud |
| Original Detection Year |
1941 |
| Last Detection Year |
1998 |
| Original Source |
published World War 2 losses |
| Last Amended Date |
Nov 27, 2002 |
Simplified Wreck Survey
The shipwreck of the British submarine HMSM Perseus is located in the Ionian Sea off the coast of Cephalonia (Kefallinia), Greece, at coordinates 37 59.94 N, 20 44.96 E. Historically reported as a lost vessel, the submarine was identified by divers in December 1997 resting at a depth of approximately 52 meters. The wreckage sits with a starboard list and remains in relatively good condition, featuring a crack on the port side near the bow caused by a naval mine. Notable structural details identified at the site include the ship's gun, steering wheel, and compasses, which remain in place. The stern escape hatch is notably open, confirming the historic account of the submarine's sole survivor, John Capes, who successfully escaped the vessel. An anchor from an Italian mine was also discovered in close proximity to the hull. This underwater site serves as an important maritime historical record off the Kefallinia coastline.
Surveying Details
H1288/75/361 15.9.75 UNCONFIRMED REPORT THAT VESSEL MAY HAVE BEEN LOCATED IN ABOUT 300FT. NO POSN GIVEN. (A CECIL HAMPSHIRE, LETTER DTD 12.9.75). 14.5.92 SOLE SURVIVOR REPORTS SWIMMING 5-6M & REACHING SHORE ABOUT 5M FROM KHIONATA, CEPHALONIA (KEFALLINIA). (BENEATH THE WAVES). GIVES POSN APPROX 380000N, 204500E FOR FILING ONLY. 18.2.98 REPORT THAT SUBMARINE HAS BEEN LOCATED BY DIVERS. RESCUE HATCH APPARENTLY OPEN. (BBC, RADIO 4). 4.8.98 LOCATED BY GREEK DIVER IN DEC '97. LIES WITH STBD LIST. CRACK ON PORT SIDE NEAR BOW WHERE MINED, REST OF HULL IN GOOD CONDITION. GUN, STEERING WHEEL & COMPASSES IN PLACE. ESCAPE HATCH AT STERN OPEN, AS ONE SURVIVOR HAD LEFT IT. ANCHOR OF AN ITALIAN MINE FOUND CLOSE TO WK. GEN DEPTH 52MTRS BY SONAR. (DIVER MAGAZINE AUG '98). NO POSN GIVEN. 28.2.03 SUNDAY EXPRESS ARTICLE DTD 22.2.98 TELLING OF JOHN CAPES'S ESCAPE FROM SUBMARINE HELD IN PRESS ARTICLES BRANCH FOLDER.
Circumstances of loss
6.12.41 BUILT IN 1929. MINED OFF ZANTE ON 6.12.41. (WW2SL, SOLE SURVIVOR'S ACCOUNT IN 'BENEATH THE WAVES'). TORPEDOED & SUNK BY ITALIAN SUBMARINE ENRICO TOTI (TATI?) OFF ZANTE ON 1.12.41. (SHIPS OF THE ROYAL NAVY). THIS IS NOT CONFIRMED BY AXIS SUBMARINE SUCCESSES. 60 LIVES LOST, ONLY ONE SURVIVOR, JOHN CAPES. VESSEL WAS ON PATROL NEAR AGOSTOLI, CEPHALONIA, WHICH WAS UNDER ITALIAN RULE AT THE TIME. BELIEVED THAT VESSEL RUN INTO A MINE.CRACKING THE PORT SIDE FORE DECK, FLOODING THE MAIN HATCHWAY. THE SOLE SURVIVOR WAS IN THE AFT SECTION OF SUBMARINE AND WAS ABLE TO USE AN EMERGENCY EXIT. WK WAS LOCATED IN 1997 IN 52MTRS S OF CEPHALONIA. (PLANET SKALA, SUMMER '99 EDN [SEE PRESS CUTTINGS BRANCH FOLDER])
WRECK MAP LOADING ...
37 59.94 N,20 44.96 E
Hmsm Perseus on Wreck Map
Hmsm Perseus Wreck on Google Map
FAQ
Where is the HMSM PERSEUS wreck located?
The HMSM PERSEUS wreck is located at coordinates 37 59.94 N,20 44.96 E.
How deep is the seabed around the HMSM PERSEUS?
The seabed around the HMSM PERSEUS lies at approximately 90 meters deep.
When did the HMSM PERSEUS sink?
The HMSM PERSEUS sank on Dec 6, 1941.
When was the wreck of the HMSM PERSEUS discovered?
The wreck of the HMSM PERSEUS was discovered in 1941.
What country did the HMSM PERSEUS belong to?
The HMSM PERSEUS belonged to GB.
What was the tonnage of the HMSM PERSEUS?
The HMSM PERSEUS had a tonnage of 2040 tons.
What type of wreck is the HMSM PERSEUS?
The HMSM PERSEUS is classified as a submarine.
General Comments
INTACT, WITH STBD LIST