By: Mirrors - 3rd February 2002 at 07:41
RE: Underwater Wellington
Yes, this one may be best left where it is, however, if the same principal had been applied universally Brooklands would be without it’s Wellington, Hendon and Canada would be without their Halifaxes, Malta would be without it’s Hurricane, the list goes on and on. I think the key is proper planning and sufficient resources, and believe that efforts should be made to save significant airframes before it is too late. Who wouldn’t want to see a recovered Stirling? There is at least one potentially in a freshwater lake. Is anyone aware of other recovery prospects? No need to mention specific locations.
Robert M.
By: Ja Worsley - 3rd February 2002 at 06:01
RE: Underwater Wellington
Good Idea to leave out the location, let them rest in peace!
Why raise it, just to fulfill our selfish need to have one to look at, no, let it be!
In dying for your emperor you will receive everlasting glory. Yeah right!!!
By: Ashley - 3rd February 2002 at 01:14
RE: Underwater Wellington
Interesting info there Ant 🙂
By: Ant.H - 2nd February 2002 at 19:57
RE: Underwater Wellington
While she does look tantalisingly complete,we have to remember that she is in warm salt water-a far cry from the cold depths of Loch Ness.Aswell as the corrosive effects of the salt,there are a great myriad of organisms in the oceans which actually live on these wrecks.
Certain sponges and corals remove various chemical elements from the metals,and in extreme cases what you end up with can be a ‘ghost’- say a prop blade made entirely of coral as the real blade itself has been eaten away.
What this means is that you could attempt to raise it and have it fall apart,or you could find on closer inspection that it is in far worse condition than was initially thought.Recoveries from the sea are fraught with all sorts of other obstacles,including bearacratic ones,particularly if the wreck is in international waters.
Having said all this,take a look at what is going on at the Maltese aviation museum.Thier Hurricane is now well on the way to becoming taxiable,so salt-water wrecks aren’t always irredeemable.
If I remember rightly,there was an attempt to raise funds for the recovery of this Wellington some 5 years ago,but nothing came of it.
To conclude,any plan to recover this machine would have to be meticulously planned and rather expensive.With any luck she’ll be in decent condition and we’ll have a third surviving Wellington.On the other hand you could end up with empty pockets and a heap of coral encrusted wreckage to deal with.
The best of luck to anyone intending to raise her.
By: EHVB - 2nd February 2002 at 19:24
RE: Underwater Wellington
If it is there, raise it while it is (still) possible
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February 2, 2002 at 6:28 pm
