Since the 1970s this site has always been known by divers as ‘the MTBs’ or motor torpedo boats although the offshore wreck was found a little later in the mid 1980’s. The wrecks located around Brackley Point in Loch Striven still are popular with local divers as they provide a range of dives for various levels of experience, in a sheltered location with shore access. Deep water is also close by for more advanced training and the wreck of a motor torpedo boat lies offshore but requires boat access.
Vospers Motor Torpedo Boat (MTB) circa 72′ long.
Motor Gun Boat (MGB) circa 55′ long, note 2 gun positions.
Three of the wrecks would appear to originate from WWII, and be the remains of wooden motor torpedo or gunboats (Wrecks A, B and D), the fourth is a small steel barge (Wreck C). The Loch was used for classified experimental work during both World Wars, it is understood that the wrecks were either a result of this work or scuttled at the end of hostilities.
The three wooden wrecks (A, B and D) are of timber construction and have been built with diagonal mahogany planked hulls with plywood or solid framing and timber housing to engine space and deck house (noted at each site). This type of vessel was developed at the start of WWII to meet the needs of the Royal Navy for a fast seagoing patrol boat with a fast planing hull developed as the basic shape. Built primarily as a MTB (motor torpedo boat), a number were built with machine guns fore and aft and designated MGB (motor gunboats) others were developed for specific purposes, with customised armament on the basic hull.
The most intact of the timber wrecks displays a number of features found on MTB type vessels which are;
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- Construction of hull- diagonal planked hull.
- Scalloped shute in hull below torpedo exit point from tubes. See photo below.
- Machine gun mounts. See dive photos in gallery.
- Configuration and type of engines.
This is the the most interesting of the four wrecks, due to its state of preservation and is the wreck of a wooden MTB lying some 300 metres north of the point in position 55° 55.427’N 005° 03.547’W (GPS). The wreck is oriented approximately 030°/210° and lies between 36 and 42m with bows pointing south west. The hull is still substantially intact but is open towards the stern where the deck has partially collapsed into the hull, exposing the fuel tanks engine space and stern area of the vessel. We recommend that this is approached as a boat dive due to depth and the slight flow across the wreck on spring tides.
Two wrecks are located at Brackley Point and are easily accessible from the shore. Wreckage from an MTB lies in the shallows north of the point in position 55° 55.263’N 005° 03.465’W. Lying on a steep sand slope the wreckage extends from 5 to 14 metres diagonally across the down slope. The easiest way to find the wreckage is to enter the water just east of the actual point, fin down to around 10 metres and head east into the bay. You should find debris strewn along the slope in a fairly concentrated area. Most of the debris here is the remains of hull diagonal planking and will have a limited life expectancy.
Wreck C – Steel Dumb Barge
On the west side of the point lie the remains of a small steel dumb barge in 5-7 metres of water. The wreck, which at time of writing is still intact, lies in position 55° 55.224’N 005° 03.491’W on a more gentle sand slope and is probably 8-10 metres long. Both wrecks are suitable for training and the barge also creates a man made reef for sea squirts, peacock worms, soft corals, small fish and crustaceans. Below are a few frame grabs from an old Hi8 movie, the quality is poor but will give a indication of what you can expect to see.
Lying approximately 200 metres to the south of the point and directly offshore from a small cottage on the hillside lies the wreckage of yet another MTB. This vessel would appear to have been extensively salvaged although parts of hull, engine and tanks remain in position 55° 55.143’N 005° 03.464’W. The wreckage lies on a sand and mud slope between 14 and 20 metres.
