HMS/mD1: Dartmouth’s sunken sub granted protection

The WW1 era ship HMS D1, that was purposely sunk off the coast of Dartmouth in 1918, has been given protection, protecting its contents from being moved but still enabling diving.

After it was purposely sunk towards the end of the First World War, it is now used as a training target for detecting enemy submarines.

(Image credit: Imperial War Museum)

Duncan Wilson, Historic England’s chief executive, said “This is a fascinating survival that deserves protection as an important part of our seafaring history”. Steve Mortimer, lead diver on the group initially tasked with finding remains of German U-boats and leader of the team that uncovered the submarine, also said “Every diver dreams of identifying a historically important wreck.”

Upon advice from Historic England, The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport granted the submarine protection.

The submarine was launched on 16th of May, 1908, after it was launched a year earlier on May 14th 1907 and first commissioned in September 1909, taking part in the 2010 annual manoeuvres.

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