F2 Escort Vessel (Wreck)

 shipwreck, invisible

 Upload a photo

The F2 is a good second dive. She is submerged in Gutter Sound (near Lyness) at 18m. Although (despite) her stern is badly damaged, she is a thoroughly good rummage wreck. A lot of life around her.
Commission: Built at Kiel in 1936.
History: The F2 was used as an experimental boat by the German Navy. In some ways similar to a destroyer, she was converted to a torpedo recovery vessel. She was 250 ft long with a beam of 30 ft and displaced nearly 800 tons. She had two 4 inch guns on pedestal mountings - one on the forecastle deck and the other on her aft deck. After the end of WW2 she was given to Britain as war reparations and was moored in Gutter Sound. She sank shortly after in December 1946.
Diving: The boat lies on its port side in 18m of quite cold water. The visibility is usually quite good. The bottom is shaly and pebbly. There is an awful lot to see and discover. Not only the extensive wreckage but also a lot of interested sea life. The wrasse are particularly friendly - probably hoping for a sea urchin meal from a diver. There are enormous horse mussels, energetic scallops, many sea urchins and a couple of lurking conger.The wreck has been extensively salavaged around the stern. Unrecognisable wreckage lies strewn all over the sea bed. Wreck ferrets will be in their element. Towards the bows a more recognisable shape emerges. The bridge structure is quite intact and the mainmast still lies across the seabed. On the foredeck there is a well preserved 4 inch gun turret with its breech mechanism exposed for inspection by the interested diver. Anchor chains are clearly visible as are the paraphenalia of cleats and capstans.

Near to the F2 (about 40m off the starboard midsection) is a barge that was used in salvage work. The barge sank in 1968 during a storm. Inside its hold can be seen one of the anti aircraft guns that was being salvaged from the F2 plus a lot of other bits and pieces. If you are the first pair of divers then it is pleasant to swim into the hold of the barge and explore. At one end you will see a worktable with a vice on it plus tool cabinets. There are a couple of passageways. Underneath the barge there are quite a few ling and conger.

The water seems particularly cold around the F2. There is a lot to see, and there are many surprises. A good second dive.