Divers Discover Wreck of HMS Hawke Off Aberdeenshire Coast
- Divers have discovered the wreck of the British warship HMS Hawke in the North Sea.
- The warship was sunk by a German U-boat during World War 1 in 1914, resulting in the death of 524 individuals on board.
- After more than a century, the wreckage of the HMS Hawke has finally been located.
In a remarkable underwater discovery, divers have located the wreck of HMS Hawke, a British warship believed to have been torpedoed by a German U-boat during World War I. The ship, which sank in October 1914, is thought to have claimed the lives of 524 crew members. The wreck was found approximately 70 miles east of Fraserburgh by the underwater exploration team Lost in Waters Deep, who have dedicated years to uncovering hidden shipwrecks. Marine biologist Will Schwarz, one of the first divers to explore the site, expressed astonishment at the ship's preservation after more than a century underwater. Positioned 100 meters deep, the wreck showed minimal growth due to the low nutrient levels in the surrounding water, with some parts appearing "shiny" and the ship's guns seemingly "ready for battle." Schwarz described the find as "bonkers," highlighting the team's excitement over the discovery. HMS Hawke served as a crucial asset to the Royal Navy's 10th Cruiser Squadron, conducting blockade operations between the Shetland Islands and Norway. Launched in 1891, the Edgar-class protected cruiser measured 387 feet in length and 60 feet in breadth. The Royal Navy has acknowledged the efforts made to locate the wreck and is awaiting further evidence to confirm the ship's identity. A spokesperson for the Royal Navy stated that once the necessary evidence is received, historians will be able to formally identify the wreck, marking a significant moment in maritime history.