Underwater video and 3D scans

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8842919/Scientists-use-sonar-pings-create-3D-images-HMS-Royal-Oak-downed-Nazi-torpedo.html

https://vimeo.com/460447596

18/10/20

New underwater photos of HMS Royal Oak

These were taken around the time of the 60th anniversary of her sinking and have just been released prior to the 70th anniversary in 2009

The top two images are artist impressions of how she now lies.

(Above) Two of the torpedo holes from the inside

(Left) Every year the Royal Navy Northern Diving Group raise a battle ensign on the upturned hull of the wreck.

(Left) On the seabed at 30 metres the cover of the 15" gun breaches has fallen away leaving the breaches visible. The 15" barrels lie crushed underneath the wreckage.

(Right) Identical guns are on display outside the Imperial War Museum in London.

(Above) The breach cover is in the centre, the 15" barrels to the left and the carly raft to the right

The gunnery spotting top above which was the rangefinding equipment

Torpedo damage in the bow section

The Admiral's Barge was used to transfer officers to and from the ship. She now lies on the seabed in 30 metres of water

Anti aircraft guns

4" guns top left and 6" guns bottom right

Twin 4" guns

6" side armament

On the 61st anniversary the ashes of Dorothy Golding were taken down by her grandson Christopher Kilford and placed inside the ship. This was the first time in Naval history that permission had been granted to place ashes in an official war grave. Dorothy was the wife of Bandsman Arthur Golding who went down with the ship. She never remarried and they were reunited in October 2000.

Every year the Northern Diving Group replace the battle ensign on the wreck and present the old one to a worthy person. On the 69th anniversary it was presented to survivor Norman Thackeray.

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