A TEAM of intrepid British divers have solved the 108-year mystery of the sinking of a US coastguard cutter in its largest naval loss of World War I.
The wreck of the Tampa – blown up by a German submarine in 1918 with the loss of all 131 hands – was found after a painstaking three year search and 10 unsuccessful dives.
A team of intrepid British divers have solved the 108-year mystery of the sinking of a US coastguard cutter Credit: Jam Press/Rick Ayrton
The Tampa was blown up by a German submarine in 1918 Credit: Jam Press/Rick Ayrton
Dom Robinson, 54, was among the technical dive crew to find the famous ship 50 miles off the coast of .
The former chopper pilot told how the wreck was found 95m down on the seabed.
He said: “It’s the culmination of an awful lot of work.
“This was the moment we dreamed of.
The Tampa was found after a painstaking three year search and 10 unsuccessful dives Credit: Jam Press/Rick Ayrton
The wreck location was only roughly known from a combination of German and British records Credit: Jam Press/Rick Ayrton
“We had almost given up and this was the last dive we were going to do.”
The Tampa was escorting a convoy into the Irish Sea when it split off into the Channel to refuel and was torpedoed by a Kaiser sub and sank within three minutes.
A total of 111 Coast Guardsmen, four US Navy personnel, and 16 sailors and civilians perished.
The wreck location was only roughly known from a combination of German and British records and from data from the UK Hydrographic Society.
The US Coast Guard contributed details to help identify the ship.
Dom, and the group of divers from the South West area, who call themselves the Gasperadoes, finally managed to pinpoint the exact location after three years of looking.
He said: “We are really pleased we found it.
“We had a rough idea of where it was.
“Each time it takes three hours to drive out there, you’re in the water for 20 mins, and then there’s two-and-a-half hours of decompression and then travel back again.
“It’s a super niche activity and quite expensive.
“The ship was quite small and we were lucky to find it.”
The US Coast Guard said it is now planning to send a ship over to lay a wreath on the wreck site.
The force’s commandant, Admiral Kevin Lunday, said: “Since 1790, the Coast Guard has defended our nation during every armed conflict in American history, a legacy reflected in the courage and sacrifice of the crew of Coast Guard Cutter Tampa.
“When the Tampa was lost with all hands in 1918, it left an enduring grief in our service.
“Locating the wreck connects us to their sacrifice and reminds us that devotion to duty endures.
“We will always remember them.
“We are proud to carry their spirit forward in defense of the United States.”
Coast Guard Atlantic Area Historian, Dr William Thiesen, said: “We provided the dive team with historical records and technical data to assist in confirming the wreck site.
“This included the archival images of the deck fittings, ship’s wheel, bell , weaponry, and archival images of the Tampa.”
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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