Deeper into the Darkness

Deeper into the Darkness by Rod Macdonald explores famous UK wrecks from the Great War and WWII, including HMS Pathfinder, HMS Audacious, HMS Hampshire, HMS Vanguard, K-class submarines, UB-116, and American shipwrecks from the Battle of Guadalcanal. It also highlights the development of technical diving and the scandalous desecration of naval war graves.

Format: Electronic book text
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: 30 April 2020
Publisher: Whittles Publishing

Deeper into the Darkness: Exploring Famous Wrecks Around the UK from the Great War

In this captivating book, author Rod takes readers on a thrilling journey to explore a multitude of renowned wrecks scattered across the UK's coastal waters. From the depths of the Great War, we delve into the stories of HMS Pathfinder and HMS Audacious, the first British battleships to meet their demise at the hands of enemy action during World War I. We pay our respects to the tragic loss of Lord Kitchener on the wreck of HMS Hampshire, as he embarked on a secret mission to Russia in 1916. We also explore the haunting remnants of HMS Vanguard, which exploded at anchor in Scapa Flow in 1917, and the K-class submarines that met their fate during the Battle of May Island in 1918.

But our exploration doesn't end there. Rod takes us on a time warp to the Pacific theater of World War II, where he visits the American shipwrecks from the Battle of Guadalcanal. With bravery and skill, he ventures into the breathtaking Japanese wrecks hidden beneath the Truk and Palau Lagoons, shedding light on the mysteries and tragedies of this war.

As we journey through history, Rod also highlights the remarkable development of technical diving. Closed-circuit rebreathers, utilizing mixed breathing gases, have opened up new avenues for exploration, allowing divers to venture deeper into the depths in search of lost shipwrecks. The story of the SS Creemuir, torpedoed and sunk off the coast of Scotland in 1940, serves as a poignant example of the human side of shipwrecks. In 2012, Rod and his team made a historic dive to the wreck, recovering the Creemuir's bell and presenting it to the sole surviving crewman, Royal Navy Radio Officer Noel Blacklock.

The book concludes with a sobering account of the scandalous desecration of naval war graves across various regions, including Jutland, the South China Sea, and the Java Sea. These acts serve as a reminder of the sacrifices made by countless individuals during times of conflict.

Deeper into the Darkness is a testament to Rod's passion for shipwreck exploration and his commitment to preserving the history and stories of these remarkable vessels. It is a must-read for anyone with an interest in maritime history, adventure, and the mysteries of the ocean's depths.

Weight: 930g
Dimension: 237 x 170 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781849953603