Another wreck we dived last year with the High Def cameras for the Deep Sea Detectives show on the History Channel screens soon on UK TV: dates below. This wreck was originally discovered in 1989 by Littlehampton divers Ray Lee and Bernie Attwood, both appear in the show. The crew used rebreathers again to take advantage over depth, film into the holds of the wreck, look at evidence of sinking and interview marine accident investigators and other key people along the south coast of England & Westminster. This is the first time the wreck has been filmed for television and sees US divers John Chatterton & Richie Kohler join forces with Leigh Bishop, Carl Spencer & Mark Bullen to bring the story to your screen. Many people have enjoyed a dive to the Iron Duke over the years since she was found and those that know me will know that she still remains my favourite wreck dive of all time. We hope you enjoy the show.

Regards,
Leigh Bishop.

Mystery of the Channel Collision / History Channel

Tue August 8th 2006 at 9:00pm

Wed August 9th 2006 at 12:00am

Wed August 9th 2006 at 3:00pm

Sat August 12th 2006 at 8:00pm

http://www.thehistorychannel.co.uk/site/tv_guide/full_details/ Technology/programme_3169.php

On a stormy night in March 1899, two ships headed towards each other in the English Channel. The Duke of Buccleugh, a 380 ft iron steamer was bound for India, with a mixed cargo of china, glassware, and industrial goods. The Vandalia, a wooden sailing ship loaded with barrels of petroleum was hurrying to reach London.

Shortly after 1 p.m. the two ships collided with deadly but surprising results. The iron Duke sank quickly, with her entire crew of 47. The badly damaged wooden Vandalia however survived and limped ashore.

The surviving captain reported that his sailing ship was operating properly, when it was suddenly rammed by the iron steamer, and for a hundred years his claim went unchallenged.

Evidence on the wreck of the Duke suggests a different story. Did the Duke of Buccleugh ram the Vandalia or was it the other way round? And how could wood sink iron? We investigate...

Deep sea Detectives
www.deepimage.co.uk/deepseadetectives.htm

Leigh Bishop
www.deepimage.co.uk