The wreck lies with its keel orientated 050/230 degrees. Notable features include the 4 torpedo tubes, 2 either side of the bow. The only damage to the hull appears to be a slight bulge on one quarter.

For further information on the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986 and its administration with regard to vessels, please contact the Ministry of Defence, Wreck Section, Naval Personnel Secretariat, Room 125 Victory Building, HMNB Portsmouth, PO1 3LS.

Event and Historical Information:
The motor torpedo boat was ordered on 15 August 1945. Sources differ in stating that it was built by Vospers at Portchester in 1949 under the designation MTB 1602, others that it was build by Saunders Roe Ltd at Fryars Bay, Anglesey. It was completed on 21 March 1950. The craft was fitted with twin Packard engines. Sources suggest that it developed hydraulic failure to one of the Rotol variable pitch propellers. This threw one propeller into reverse pitch whilst operating at full speed. This had the effect of throwing the boat violently to one side. The sudden change in load to the transmission wrecked the Rotol Vee drive gearbox (causing the explosion suggested as cause of the damage in other sources?). The vessel was on it way back to Anglesey to be repaired when it ran into a storm on 31 January 1952. The engines shifted and caused a breech in the hull causing it to founder.

Sources include:
Lenton, H T, 1998, British and Empire Warships of the Second World War, pg546
UK Hydrographic Office Wrecks and Obstructions Database. ? Crown Copyright and database rights. Reproduced by permission of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office and the UK Hydrographic Office (www.ukho.gov.uk)

WWW resources:
http://dave-mills.yolasite.com/saunders-roe-mtb.php

Maritime Officer, RCAHMW, February 2010.