HMS Hermes 2018
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HMS HERMES DIVE INTO HISTORY! The HMS Hermes is one of only 4 diveable Aircraft Carriers around the world. (others are USS Saratoga - Bikini Atoll, USS Pensacola - artificial reef in the US and the Graf Zepplin - Hitlers only carrier (which didn't see any war time). It also happens to be the Only aircraft Carrier that was sunk during battle. The HMS Hermes is not only a fantastic wreck to dive, but also historically significant. Built for the Royal Navy, she was the world's first ship to be designed and built as an aircraft carrier. We look forward to showing you this great wreck. TRIP details: Incl: • 10 days all inclusive package • 6 days diving, 12 dive pack, • All accom 9 nights accom (based on twin share), • airport transfers, excl: “The Worlds first • O2 - $0.06/litre, Commissioned • Helium - $0.15/litre Aircraft Carrier” • Sorb $15/kg • CCR cylinder rental - $20/day per set [!1] HISTORY 1942 WWI battle ships to counter this assumed that the British fleet must be The war wasn't going too well for threat. on the East Coast at Trincomalee, and the Allied forces in 1942. Singapore, Under no illusion, Sommerville ordered an attack. Warned of the The Dutch East Indies and the knew that The British carrier aircraft impeding attack by a patrolling Philippines had all fallen. Every major were no match for the Japanese Catalina, the last two major warships, Allied warship in the South China Sea Zero’s, Kate’s and Val’s. He was at HMS Hermes, a light Fleet Carrier and Java Sea had been sunk or chased risk of becoming the first British and HMAS Vampire her destroyer away. Admiral in a hundred years to loose escort raced south in a an attempt to escape the approaching storm. The Japanese, with increased an entire fleet. confidence after destroying the As the Japanese approach Ceylon American Pacific Fleet in Pearl (Sri Lanka) he wisely Harbour, Kido Butai, the Imperial removed the fleet to a Japanese Navy’s First Carrier Air fleet secret anchorage in the has swept into the Indian Ocean. Maldives. The Japanese, They had destroyed Darwin, found Colombo harbour massacred the ships fleeing Java and empty so took out their now in the Bay of Bengal had sunk aggression on two 113,000 tons of British shipping, British heavy Cruisers preventing the resupply of British racing to join forces in Burma. Sommerville to the Admiral Sommerville had been south. sent out with the hastily prepared In 15 minutes, both “Eastern Fleet” comprising of two are sunk and 1000 men are in the modern fleet carriers and four old water. The Japanese Admiral Nagumo HMAS Vampire [!2] WORLDS FIRST AIRCRAFT CARRIER In 1918, with the war in Europe reaching its climax, the Royal Navy was at its peak. Early experiments with the conversion of the Battle-cruiser HMS Furious to an aircraft carrier had demonstrated the potential of aircraft at sea, but it was clear that a better solution was needed. It was decided to build a small carrier from the ground up. Wind tunnel experiments were conducted (the first time ever on a warship) and these resulted in the now standard configuration of an island superstructure to starboard and the enclosed bow and hanger arrangements. The stern was left open to allow for the launching and retrieving of float planes. Laid down in 1918, launched in 1919, her completion was delayed until 1923 due to post war economics. Ship: Aircraft Carrier Launched: 11 Sept 1919 While Hermes was small even at the time (12.500 tons and 598 ft length), the small aircraft of the period she meant that Displacement: 13,700 ton she was more than adequate and was deemed a success. Length: 183m (600ft) However, by the late 1930’s her 26 knt top speed was not Beam: 21m (70ft) considered adequate and her size too small to operate modern Draught: 7m (23ft) fighters or a decent sized strike force. WW2 and the advent of Propulsion: 2 shafts the escort carrier would prove the utility and value of ships of this size but by then it would be too late. 2 geared steam turbines Compliment: 566 crew (excl pilots) Hermes takes a lot of hits Armament: 6 x 5.5” guns 4 x 4” AA guns On April 9th 1942, the Japanese arrived over Trincomalee to find the harbour empty. After decimating the local fighters sent to intercept them, they attacked the port facilities. To their surprise, while returning to their carriers one of the scouts spotted a small carrier and its escort some 70 miles to the south off Batticaloa. Negombo immediately launched a strike of 85 Aichi D3A Dive Bombers and 9 Mitsubishi Zero Fighters. Shortly after 10am these aircraft were spotted by Hermes, now steaming back towards Trincomalee in the hope of fighter protection, not realising that it had already been largely destroyed. In what was to be one of the most accurate bombing attacks of the war the crack Japanese aviators plummeted down on the helpless carrier scoring some 40 direct hits in 10 minutes. It didn't take long for the Hermes to roll over to port and her bow slid beneath the waves. 302 officers and men drowned even after Captain Onslow gave the order to abandon ship. The Japanese turned their attention to HMAS Vampire. Three hits later, she too joined Hermes on the bottom of the Bay of Bengal. Japanese Aichi D3A Dive Bombers [!3] Where are we staying? DEEP SEA We will be staying at the Deep DIVE RESORT Sea Resort. Located on the sheltered waters of the estuary in Batticaloa. The Resort is a new construction hosting accommodation for 12 guests. All double rooms, with ensuite and Air-con. Simple, clean and comfortable. There is a large pool to cool off after a long dive! Whats Included A Sample Itinerary: ✓ Airport transfers and main Day 0 - Fly into Colombo, stay the transfers to the Deep Sea Resort night in Hotel just out of return Colombo in Negombo ✓ Accommodation (based on Day 1 - Drive across the country to twin share) in Negombo both Batticaloa to the resort ways ( Sightseeing on the way) ✓ Accommodation (based on Day 2-7 — 6 days diving HERMES twin share) at the Deep Sea Day 8 - Drive Back to Colombo and Resort stay the night in Negombo ✓ All diving (sightseeing day also) ✓ Twin Tank hire and Air fills Day 9 - Fly out The above itinerary is just a sample of Whats NOT Included? what can happen. There are more wrecks round the area so if people want something different then we can ✓ Food Drinks arrange a day or so of diving other ✓ O2 fills $0.06c/litre wrecks ✓ Helium $0.15c/litre There is also Wifii in the resort for ✓ keeping on contact with the rest of Rebreather tank hire $20/day the world! per set of tanks. ✓ Electricity is all 240v and all plugs Sorb @ $15/kg have international converters with ✓ Food and Drinks them. Might be a good idea to bring a multibox with you. [!4] The HMS Hermes wreck is protected cuts, etc etc. This will cover most what we do is deploy Deco Marker by law so the only thing you can take basic emergencies but obviously buoys and drift deco in your boat - is memories! If you take anything there are limitations to what we can teams. Each boat has a max number else you will be prosecuted and do. We would strongly recommend of 4 divers, and this boat will follow believe me the Sri Lankan Prisons cold and flu tablets and ear their team. aren't the best! medication (swimmers ear is very common). Once you sign up for the Safety in the Water What are the risks on a trip trip we will send you a comprehensive medical brief to help Seeing that we are going to be like this? assist you in preparing yourself for drifting in the Bay of Bengal for over Sri Lanka is a developing world and the trip. an hour or more, we have made it has played host to civil war for many mandatory for you to have at least a decades. So keep an open mind as Dive Medical Insurance Nautilus lifeline. Most people to how things get done in Sri Lanka. DAN insurance is MANDATORY! suppliment these with EPIRBS or Please make sure that the policy PLB’s. This is for your own safety. A lot of the diving that is being done covers your deepest depths you are You dont want to be drifting in those is extended decompression diving going to be diving. We also strongly waters for days waiting to be found, and it if for this reason why we bring recommend travel insurance. You as there is little sea traffic! a Hyperbaric Physician with us on all would be really lost without it. You will also need an Orange deco our trips. marker buoy and also a Yellow one. If you are not familiar with the DAN This is for emergency procedures in insurance check out their site case you need gas from the boat. So with this in 4”mind Gun you really need www.diversalertnetwork.org to pay special attention to looking Each boat will carry an additional after yourself. If you are in question The medical personnel we bring with 50% mix. If you deploy your yellow about your health or have special us are all acting in a “Samaritan” role marker buoy the boat will clip a needs, you need to talk to your so it will be totally your decision to 50%mix onto your line and it will drift physician very carefully.