HMS Vandal shipwreck images
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Above; The brass letters spelling the name Vandal were discovered by Photographer Leigh Bishop
on day one of the 2003 expedition. Positive identification was now in the hands of the team
The team then set about piecing together the missing clues as to why she sank. © Leigh Bishop 2003

Above Left; This small ladder led down from the conning tower to the outside pressure hull deck. © Leigh Bishop 2003

Above right;The ladder is seen from the top here then to the right is where the bras letters spelling the name can be seen. © Leigh Bishop 2003

Above left; In the poor conditions of the silty Clyde the name Vandal comes into view. © Leigh Bishop 2003

Above right; Several different angles and exposure values where taken around this area. The letters proved an important milestone for the team as the wreck had never been positively identified before. © Leigh Bishop 2003

Above left; Again another cross directional angle of those all important naming letters. © Leigh Bishop 2003

Above right; This was unusual and was taken directly below the port side of the conning tower on the 100m/330ft deep seabed. I believe it to be a port navigation lamp. © Leigh Bishop 2003

Above left; One of the key pieces of evidence as to the final theory of Vandals sinking was the forward escape hatch here fully open as the divers discovered it. © Leigh Bishop 2003

Above right; Glancing down inside the hatch the investigating divers saw no ladder suggesting that a hasty attempt to escape may have taken place here. © Leigh Bishop 2003

Above left; Although open none of the dive team enter the wreck, the visability as one looked glanced inside appeared to deteriorate more than the outside. © Leigh Bishop 2003

Above right; Again below the conning tower debris has fallen including this speaking tube. © Leigh Bishop 2003

Above left; This was the picture that changed Larry Gaines life, for it was this aft engine room hatch he thought had not been closed. (Read Full Story) Here as can be seen the hatch is securely shut. © Leigh Bishop 2003

Above right; Another angle showing the closed aft engine room hatch. Movement has begun to disturb the silt layer across the hatch. © Leigh Bishop 2003

Above left; On the outside pressure hull this anchor recovery winch mechanism is clear. © Leigh Bishop 2003

Above right; A diver looks on at the attack periscope which was the highest point of the wreck site. © Leigh Bishop 2003

Above left; Perhaps the major key clue that ed the team to the final conclusion of her loss was the rope still lashed to the bollards. © Leigh Bishop 2003

Above right; Looking down on another set of bollards and yet more manila rope rapped around. © Leigh Bishop 2003

Above left: Hanging down at a right angle from the conning tower was this compass still in excellent condition. Close up markings could be seen inside the glass. © Leigh Bishop 2003

Above right;At the very forred tip of the upper conning tower this compass still with its magnetic balls could clearly be seen through its covering of thick marine growth. © Leigh Bishop 2003

Above; Vandals 12pdr gun still remains in position just forred of the conning tower however today she is covered in a snagged trawl net which has taken a light blue covering of marine growth. Here the pedestal base is all that can be seen.