HMS Southwold

The British Hunt class destroyer with a length of 86 metres and a width of 9.5 metres. It reached a speed of 25 knots. Equipped with 6 guns of 100mm, antiaircraft guns, and depth charges. A crew of 168 people. It began service on 25 May 1941. It participated in many escorts of convoys, among others, to Mombasa or from Alexandria to Malta.  Italian and German Forces fought with the Allies from the sea and from the air. There were losses on both sides. On 24.12.1942, the HMS Southwold was sent to tow a damaged trade ship. During an attempt to give a tow rope, there was an explosion in the engine room of the destroyer. It killed five crew members. The ship slowly began to take on water and sank in two parts. The bow part is larger, it is about 40 metres long and is located on the starboard side at a depth of 70 metres. The bow is well preserved. We can see a double anti-aircraft cannon there. The farther to the midship, the greater the damage. Here we can see fragments of weapons and staff room with equipment. The stern approx. 28 metres long is 300 metres away at a depth of 72 metres. In the recesses of the wreck live groupers, moray eels, and lots of small colourful fish. HMS Southwold from World War II is an interesting point on the map of Maltese wrecks.

Warnings:

• Unexploded Ordnance
• War Grave