2008

NG7725 : Wreck of the HMS Port Napier in Loch Alsh

taken 16 years ago, near to Kyle of Lochalsh/Caol Loch Aillse, Highland, Scotland

Wreck of the HMS Port Napier in Loch Alsh
Wreck of the HMS Port Napier in Loch Alsh
The Port Napier was under construction as a commercial vessel for the Port Line when it was requisitioned by the UK Government for minelaying operations in June 1940.

On 27 November 1940, complete with a full complement of 550 mines, the HMS Port Napier was tied alongside at Kyle of Lochalsh harbour when a fire broke out. Unable to control the fire and fearing the town would be extensively damaged by a massive explosion, the ship was towed out into Loch Alsh. The fires worsened and she was cut adrift after which there was a massive explosion, blowing the wheelhouse onto the shore. The vessel sank where you can see it today, as shown in this photograph, taken from the Seaprobe Atlantis, a glass-bottomed boat operating out of Kyle of Lochalsh. Via the underwater viewing windows you can see the large hole blown in her side which lead to her sinking.

In 1955-6, the Royal Navy removed most, but not necessarily all of the mines onboard.

Creative Commons Licence [Some Rights Reserved]   © Copyright Trevor Wright and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.
Category: Shipwreck
This photo is linked from: Automatic Clusters: · HMS Port Napier Loch Alsh [6] · Blown [2] · Kyle of Lochalsh [2] ·
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NG7725, 7 images   (more nearby 🔍)
Photographer
Trevor Wright   (more nearby)
Date Taken
Friday, 12 September, 2008   (more nearby)
Submitted
Saturday, 20 September, 2008
Subject Location
OSGB36: geotagged! NG 77790 25451 [1m precision]
WGS84: 57:15.9321N 5:41.2064W
Camera Location
OSGB36: geotagged! NG 77790 25451
View Direction
West-northwest (about 292 degrees)
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Image classification(about): Supplemental image
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