By Isle of Wight Observer
A Royal Navy destroyer, sliced in half by a catastrophic collision, has been found at the bottom of the English Channel, 20 miles south off the Isle of Wight.
The 400-ton warship, HMS Tiger, was on a night exercise in 1908, when she took a wrong turn into the path of the giant British 10,000-ton HMS Berwick.
A total of 35 crew lost their lives in the disaster and, ever since, the destroyer had been sought by both the Royal Navy and shipwreck hunters. But it was announced on Monday that ProjectXplore divers have found the two halves of the ship 200ft down in the Channel after four years of research.
In June, divers found the stern, wedged in the sand and shingle seabed. This was followed by the bow 450 feet away resting on large boulders. The hunt features in the latest episode of Dan Snow’s History Hit podcast.
Leo Fielding and Dan McMullen, co-organisers of ProjectXplore, said: “It has been the privilege of a lifetime to research, discover and document the wreck of HMS Tiger. We sincerely hope that our work will ensure that HMS Tiger, her story, and the memory of those connected with her endure for future generations.
“ProjectXplore welcomes proposed amendments in the Armed Forces Bill. We believe they represent a constructive step forward in protecting the United Kingdom’s maritime heritage and ensuring that wreck sites of historical and archaeological significance are appropriately safeguarded.”
The team dedicated their report to David Wendes, skipper of the dive charter boat Wight Spirit.