HMS Tamar Wreck site [1941-????]

h9430500
oldernewer
HMS Tamar Wreck site [1941-????]

Final Resting Location of the HMS Tamar Wrackage

Following HMS Tamar scuttling in the Victoria Harbour on December 12, 1941, the ship remained partially submerged, with her three masts exposed as shown on the Hedda Morrison's photo taken in 1947.

In late 2014, during dredging work for the Central–Wan Chai Bypass (WD2), the remains of Tamar were discovered at the location near the old Wan Chai Ferry Pier as shown in the uploaded diagram.   In 2015, a Preliminary Archaeological Impact Assessment for WD2 final report was published by the CEDD, prepared by Sarah Heaver, Dr Mick Atha and Paul Harrison.  I read this report back then, because I was working as a consultant for the Highway Department on the Shatin Central Link Project between 2012 to 2019.

A Royal Navy Commodore’s Pennant was found to be a strong evidence that the remains are those of HMS Tamar.  The wrackage was moved about 100 meters north of the origin location and the artifacts were handover the AMO. 

Date picture taken
2015 (year is approximate)
Shows place(s)
HMS Tamar Wreck site [1941-????]

Comments

I was studying an underwater archaeology course at the Maritime Museum at the time of the rediscovery of the wreck. I understood that the museum was quite keen to take what was left (I believe it was a part of the iron hull) as a display in the museum but the Govt wasn't keen and instead took the most expedient course of action by moving it further into the harbour. 

At the time there was some debate about the jurisidction of the wreck because anything sunk between 1841 and 1997 in HK waters is still officially under British jurisdiction. However, because the wreck was sold for salvage after the war it appears to have passed into private hands and therefore fell under the post-handover Govt's responsibilities.

Perhaps StephenD knows more about this? I'm not sure of the details.