"The hunt for HMS Captain" Topic
4 Posts
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| Warspite1 | 07 Jun 2023 6:53 a.m. PST |
HMS Captain, an early turreted ironclad overturned and sank off Cape Finisterre in 1870. The wreck has never been officially located. The design was controversial with steam, sails and a very low freeboard. One of the ironies is that the designer, Captain Cowper Phipps Coles, went down with the ship. A subsequent court martial blamed the general public for the pressure which had been put on the Admiralty to build a ship it did not want in the first place. Wise heads had already suspected the Captain was unstable. YouTube naval historian Drachinifel has just posted a video interviewing an author and a descendent of Coles. I recommend it: YouTube link A suspected wreck HAS been located by a general sonar scan but they are now fundraising for a more sophisticated 3D scan and the use of an ROV. Wreck hunter David Mearns is NOT involved but he has told the author they are on a 50/50 chance (good odds in wreck hunting!) based on what is known. Even the local Spanish fishermen call it 'El Capitain'. Fundraising is underway and they are about halfway there with various goals and stretch goals. See also:
link link Barry |
IronDuke596  | 07 Jun 2023 9:14 a.m. PST |
This is most interesting. Thank you for posting the links. |
| Shagnasty | 07 Jun 2023 12:50 p.m. PST |
Cool. I will look forward to further news. |
| Warspite1 | 08 Jun 2023 2:56 a.m. PST |
It is worth noting that the wreck of the CSS Alabama was located off the French port of Cherbourg and is now protected: link A human jawbone found on the ship was later reburied at Mobile, Alabama. Barry |
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