This large wreck sits in an upright position in 112m of water, with its keel orientated at 260 (bow)/80 (stern) degrees. The vessel is c. 100m in length and 14m wide. It has a central bridge and cargo holds fore and aft, both of which are showing signs of collapse. At the stern, this is revealing the propellor tunnel.
HMS HECLA reported a sonar contact in 1966. HMS FAWN located and examined the wreck in September 1981.
The wreck was identified as the TARBETNESS (NPRN 271662) during research by Dr Innes McCartney (2022: 114) for the Echoes from the Deep project following a detailed survey by Bangor University in May 2019. McCartney concluded that the wreck is positionally, dimensionally, and archivally consistent with the TARBETNESS, and the record has been updated to reflect that new research.
Sources include:
McCartney, I., 2022. Echoes from the Deep. Leiden: Sidestone Press. https://www.sidestone.com/books/echoes-from-the-deep
UKHO ID 6985: Contains public sector information, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0, from UK Hydrographic Office.
J. Whitewright, RCAHMW, May 2023
