Depth charging shipwrecks

[Neil Dobson]

I have read that the Royal Navy depth charged and blew up shipwrecks to prevent submarines hiding behind them. Are there records and history of this activity especially in the Western Approches and English Channel? I would be most grateful for any pointers and information on this activity.

[Billy McGee]

Never heard of this before. Some wrecks were blown up to disperse the wrecks and prevent a hazard to shipping especially in shallow coastal waters or busy shipping lanes.

[Mark McShane]

Neil,

There were many attacks carried out on submerged wrecks by escort ships as the wrecks had been picked up on ASDIC and were considered possible sub contacts. In 1944 there was a big effort from the RN to accuratly chart all the wrecks in the English Channel and coastal waters. All the latest electronic nav aids were used to charts these wrecks and so assist the escort crews. The underwater rocks were also properly charted around the southwest / Cornish coastal areas, a favoured area to try and hide out and transit around for subs.

Regards,

Mark