MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Protector catches stunning sonar imagery and bathymetric survey off St Helena

The Ice patrol in on her way to Falklands and Antarctica (Photo: MoD)

The Royal Navy Ice patrol HMS Protector heading for another Antarctic season previous visit to South Africa and Falkland Islands has produced stunning sonar imagery of the wreck of a wartime RFA tanker to help salvage experts study the state of it.

Sailors also held a service of remembrance for Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship Darkdale, which was lost with nearly all hands when torpedoed in 1941 off the tiny South Atlantic island of St Helena.

In 1941, St Helena served as an important staging post in the war against the U-boats in the South Atlantic. Darkdale arrived off the island that summer, providing fuel for passing Royal Navy warships such as carrier HMS Eagle and cruiser HMS Dorsetshire.

The tanker was anchored off the island's capital Jamestown on the night of 21/22 October when she was struck by at least three torpedoes fired by Germany's seventh-highest-scoring U-boat ace, Korvettenkapitän Karl-Friedrich Merten, in U-68.

Darkdale exploded, turned over and sank almost immediately, taking 41 men aboard down with her; only two men, who where on deck and blown clear by the blast, survived. The wreck may still hold a significant amount of fuel oil which, if discharged, could have an adverse environmental impact on the island.

The wreck is currently being examined by the salvage and marine operations arm of the MOD's Defence Equipment and Support organisation to assess its state and potential environmental impact.

The accurate positioning of what remains of the tanker will be used for any future monitoring and salvage work that may be required.

As is tradition in the Royal Navy, time was also taken to hold an act of remembrance over the wreck, after Protector's divers had visited the wreck to lay a Union Flag on it: “It was a great privilege to be able to play a small part in remembering those that played such a big part in making Britain and the Royal Navy what it is today,” said Leading Diver Chris Hayes.

During her short visit, the ship also took the opportunity to carry out further bathymetric and shore survey work in the Jamestown area, including an entire circumnavigation of the island which will help to produce more up-to-date charts, making it safer for other ships and boats to visit.

Captain Peter Sparkes and his crew of 65 also took the opportunity to host the island's dignitaries and give a tour of the ship to a group of local children.

There was also time for the crew to step ashore, visit the local tourist hot spots, such as Napoleon's residence in exile, climb the 699 steps of 'Jacob's Ladder' and sample some local hospitality. The football match between the ship's team and islanders resulted in a thumping 8-0 defeat for the 'Ice Men'.

The island's governor Mark Capes - who's also responsible for the other remote South Atlantic British territories of Ascension Island and Tristan da Cunha - sent a message of thanks to the Portsmouth-based survey ship:

“The loyal and proudly British community of St Helena was delighted to see HMS Protector arrive in James Bay. The visit reinforced all the positive messages that Her Majesty's Government remains committed to helping to ensure the security and prosperity of St Helena.”

Protector is bound for Antarctica to spend a second Austral summer surveying the waters around the frozen continent and providing support to scientists.

Before her first stint amongst the ice she's calling in on Simon's Town in South Africa to carry out last-minute maintenance and work to ensure the 5,000-tonne icebreaker is ready for the rigours of Antarctica:

“It is always good to visit the home of another nation's navy - especially one that has a rich history of association with the Royal Navy,” said Captain Sparkes.

“I hope Protector's visit can reaffirm the strong professional and operational bonds that already exist between the Royal Navy and South African Navy.”

Protector will be in Simon's Town for around ten days before paying a courtesy visit to Tristan da Cunha, surveying the waters around the island, and then moving on to Antarctica.