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Peter Mitchell 1947 – 2015

Peter Mitchell at the Eddystone

Peter Mitchell at the Eddystone

My father Peter Mitchell, the author of this website, passed away at the end of June 2015. Submerged.co.uk was Dad’s pride and joy, mainly because of the huge amount of comments and emails he received about the different shipwreck stories he’d written here. It gave Dad great happiness when people got in touch to share memories of the wrecks – it felt like discovering a secret history together, of events rarely discussed but which had had a huge impact on many lives. And it was a tangible human connection to the dramatic and often tragic events depicted in the stories.

I will be maintaining Submerged indefinitely, so there is no danger of this website disappearing. When I read his stories about raising the lump and discovering (cough) the Mary Rose, I can hear the smile in his voice as if he was still talking right to me.

Dad made several documentary movies about shipwrecks which proved popular over the years. He would sell them on DVD direct by mail order. I have now uploaded all those DVDs to YouTube so you can watch the full length documentaries for free online.

You can read Dave Page’s article The Longest Wreck Walk, which is a project about the legends of Jesus and Joseph of Arimathea visiting Cornwall which he and Dad had researched on and off for years. They were still working on it when Dad became ill.

Below is Dad’s original introduction to the site – like the rest of the site, I have left it intact. Even though Dad is gone, this website, like Dad’s books and DVDs, is a reminder that the past is still very much part of our present.

Chris Mitchell
March 2016

Plymouth Scuba Diving: Submerged Productions

What’s this website about?

My name’s Peter Mitchell. For the last 40 years I’ve been a keen scuba diver. During the last 20 years I’ve published several books and DVDs describing the histories and locations of various shipwrecks around the coast of Devon, England. (Have a look at the book and DVD covers to your right for more details).

submerged.co.uk is designed to showcase some of the best bits from the books and be a useful archive of maritime shipwreck history, both for the Devon coast and elsewhere around the world.

I also contribute to Submerged’s two sister sites Navy Photos and Cyber Heritage. We like to think we are ‘turning the pages of history, above and below the waves’.

If you want to stay informed of when new articles and information are added to the submerged.co.uk site, please sign up for the Submerged newsletter by entering your email address in the mailing list box at the top of each page. Your email address will be kept confidential and not used for any other purpose.

All the best, Peter Mitchell

How to buy Submerged Books and DVDs:

Books: You can buy The Wreckers Guide To South West Devon Part 1 and Part 2 on Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com. They are both available as digital books to read on your Kindle device or using the Kindle app on your iPad or Android tablet. The print versions of the books are no longer available.

DVDs: Submerged DVDs are no longer available to purchase. You can watch the full length, unedited DVD documentaries online. Please go to the respective DVD page and press play on the YouTube video to watch the DVD.

Site Index:

Devon Shipwrecks
There are hundreds of shipwrecks off the Devon coast – this section contains a selection of articles about individual wrecks detailing the history and fate of the ship along with the all-important contemporary dive experience. All of these articles come from The Wrecker’s Guide To South West Devon Volumes One and Two.

World Wrecks
Devon is not the only diving fruit. Here are in-depth reports about expeditions to shipwreck diver’s paradises – Scotland’s Scapa Flow, where the World War One German naval fleet was scuttled ; and Micronesia’s Truk Lagoon, last resting place of the Japanese WWII fleet.

Special Projects
This section covers Wreck Walks and particular shipwreck related topics. South Africa yeilds a great shipwreck trail starting from Cape Town, and Falmouth gives up more of its wreck secrets.Tombstones often help you find a wreck and provide an endless source of of shipwreck tales, and there is a Submarine section to dive and explore.The South West was extensively bombed during World War Two, and from time immemorial Plymouth has been a Navy Port. You are bound to come across all sorts of ammunition. Bombs and Bullets tells you all about them

About Us
More information about the people who have helped produced the books and videos and how to get in touch.

Links
Other diving-related websites you might find useful.

Comments

  1. James M Gray says

    April 3, 2010 at 4:14 pm

    A very interesting web site – my main interest was concerning HMS WARSPITE at the battle of Narvik as my father (long now deceased) was I believe from his records Chief Gunners Mate.

    Thanks again for a very interesting web site

  2. Ian Lavill says

    April 30, 2010 at 11:33 am

    As a keen fisherman i am looking for a wreck map, ideally that can be uploaded on a computor that has a listing of plotted wrecks in the Plymouth area, so i may know where to find them and the history of each one…….then locate and fish them. Most papper maps come in sections and can be bought for around £20 but only say WK for wreck. Do you know of any such thing in your experiance, by the way good work!

  3. colin strickland says

    October 16, 2010 at 7:10 pm

    Very informative website. I have been researching the sailing ship Herzogon Cecilie as I have discovered some 16mm movie film of the wrecking of this ship in some family home movies. The film was taken from a cliff in devon looking down on the wreck as it was being battered by the waves. Now I know more of the history of the grain carrier.
    Thank you.

  4. Mary Leavey says

    November 13, 2010 at 9:06 pm

    My name is Mary. I was born Mary Aquilina. (my mothers maiden name). My husband sent you a email.

    My Grandfather was Carmelo Aquilina. He worked in the navy on board the HMS Hardy. He was one of 3 Maltese survivors, the others were Giuseppe Micallef (who had shrapnel wounds) and Toni Briffa. My granddad was the wardroom cook on the Hardy. When i was given a piece of paper which a friend had downloaded from the internet, i recognised my granddad right away. I was told by his daughter, my aunty, that her dad had dressed up as a women when his ship was lost at sea, at the battle of Narvik. She told me that she thinks he was awarded a VC. Any Photo’s that i have seen of that time of my granddad, is with Winston Churchill. He stands out because he was quite short and all the clothes he is wearing look so big on him. My Mother has a few Photo’s of her dad in Navy uniform and Aunty said she is sure she has a few. I will try and get them,and scan them into the computer if you would like them.
    Regards
    Mary Leavey

  5. bernard hallas says

    December 15, 2010 at 5:21 pm

    There was only one V.C. awarded at the Battle of Narvik i/e
    Captain Warburton Lee. V.C. HMS Hardy. The Hardy was not lost at sea ut crashed on the rocks in ofotfjord Narvik. The crew were helped by a Norwegion family who supplied dry clothing for them to wear. Many were dressaed in womens clothes including the Mothers wedding Dress. She is very famous in Narvik’s story of the ba ttle.
    Bernard Hallas. Corporal of Royal Mrines. HMS Warspite 1939 to 44

  6. Jennie Constable says

    January 12, 2011 at 4:08 pm

    I have some questions about stills of the shipwreck of HMS Montagu off Lundy Island which you may be able to help me with. Please could you email me at the above address and I will give you more details.

    Many thanks.

  7. hugh mccready says

    February 2, 2011 at 9:06 pm

    would any of your books cover the wreck. ss bantry. lost 1934. kellys coal boat. collision. what other boat was involved? my great,great grandfather was lost along with all others on board. is this correct? no surviviors? ships position is sth. of portsmouth. east of isle of white. any info on this vessel please e. mail me thanks.

  8. Sean Kingsley says

    February 19, 2011 at 3:30 pm

    Dear Peter, Could you advise me if you have come across any archaeological materials in your research fished up from the sea in nets?

    I’m conducting research for a paper into the impacts of fishing (trawlers, scallop dredges, potting and netting) on underwater cultural heritage both off the UK and globally and I’m putting together a database of all finds found in this way from shipwrecks and submerged prehistoric settlements.

    Thanks in advance for your help.

    Best wishes,

    Sean

  9. Ron Cope says

    August 7, 2011 at 7:00 pm

    Peter, Great to see your new website format. Thanks for all the assitance you have offered by letting me use your Narvik section to drum up interest on these two famous battles in 10th and 13th April 1940. I am now well on the way to finishing the book but only because of your website. Anyone out there with any information or associations to the ships Hardy, Hunter, Havock, Hostile and Hotspur (1940) please contact me.
    roncope@btinternet.com Thanks once more Peter.

  10. Nick Hide says

    January 29, 2014 at 4:31 pm

    Hi

    I saw your comment on the Flickr website where you mentioned finding a second inscription for Capt E G W Davidson on the Davidson headstone in Thurlestone Churchyard.

    You were commenting on the photo of Capt Davidson’s grave on Islay

    If you are still interested to know more about Capt Davidson and the Otranto disaster of 1918 please feel to contact me at any time.I will willingly share the story, images, and the research which I have completed.

    I am the grandson referred to in the original posting and have researched this part of my ancestry in some detail.

    Best wishes,

    Nick Hide
    London

  11. Dom Russell says

    December 12, 2017 at 10:14 pm

    Hello,

    I’ve just watched the documentary about A7. It was very good and have posted it on my Facebook. It is very important to me and my family that such things are done well.

    Kindest Regards
    Dominic Russell

  12. Robin Bradley says

    July 6, 2018 at 10:30 am

    Hi Chris,

    I’m writing a book about bass fishing (“A bass angler’s life”) and wanted to include some information about the Ben Asdale and the wreck at Polridmouth from your website. Would that be OK?

  13. Nigel Bridges says

    August 1, 2018 at 7:21 pm

    I have an interesting set of letters relating to the 1852 Birkenhead disaster that I have transcribed onto a pdf file.

  14. MISSON JEAN PIERRE says

    January 18, 2019 at 10:48 pm

    Just conclusively identified WWII submarine HMS TETRARCH as being in 70-75 m , off TABARKA , TUNISIA . Position :
    37° 04′ 32″ N 8° 52′ 34″ E
    Full report available on request : missonjp@hotmail.com

  15. Nigel Rowe says

    April 12, 2019 at 9:39 am

    My name is Nigel Rowe & I have just finished reading The Doomed Destroyer. I am the nephew of Leading Steward James Rowe who lost his life on HMS Hunter. My wife and I are flying to Narvik in May, to visit my uncle’s grave. My thanks to Ron Cope for a fantastic read.

  16. Mark Barnatt says

    November 6, 2019 at 8:01 pm

    Hi Chris I was wondering if I could use some of your late Dads footage from climbing the mast at Ganges. I am making a tribute video to the Ganges boys and would like to include footage of the climb up the mast. My Dad too was a Ganges boy. I have no commercial interest. This is purely fo my own hobby of creating videos.
    Regards
    Mark Barnatt

  17. Chris Mitchell says

    November 8, 2019 at 3:09 am

    Hi Mark – please go ahead. Best, Chris

  18. Ron Cope says

    December 23, 2019 at 4:01 pm

    Message for Nigel Rowe [re-above] ‘Doomed Destroyer’, glad you enjoyed the book it took a lot of time to research and put together. I had an E Mail from a relative of your Uncle early into writing I gave her the information by then collected but never heard from her again. I am sure I have her details in my files in case she does not know the book was out last year and can be purchased on ‘Amazon Books UK’, or direct from me and signed.
    As matter of interest, when I heard that the Duke of Edinburgh had retired from Royal Duties and enjoyed reading. I sent him a copy first ‘Attack at Dawn’ then ‘Doomed Destroyer’. I swiftly had a letter via his Personal Secretary to thank me and they were now in his personal library at Sandringham. Best Wishes Ron Cope

  19. Mark says

    March 9, 2021 at 11:41 am

    Marinelightusa.com is the leading nautical lights supplier in the USA. Our company has many variteis of antiques lights which is use for your home, hotel, office and your personal ship. We have more then 10k happy customers in USA and 25k in world wide. We have 15 years of experiencs in nautical light dealership and expencding our business in world wide.
    for more information kindly visit https://marinelightusa.com/

  20. jere Dutt says

    July 8, 2021 at 2:36 pm

    Hello Chris,
    What a fantastic site ! Your Father created something special here ! I am inquiring as to the photos from the wreck of the Jebba. I am an amatuer philatelist and occasionally write for a club journal dedicated to France and Colonies mail. I would like to use a couple of the photos from your site in my article. I have a mailed envelope that was recovered from the wreck ! Is that possible? Hope so ! I do not get paid for the article nor is the journal a for profit enterprise. Please let me know if that is ok. Thanks in advance. Jere Dutt

  21. bryan portwig says

    July 29, 2022 at 12:53 pm

    what a fantastic link – especially since my fascination with ship wrecks started nigh on 56 years ago at the age of 6 and continues to this day – mainly south african ship wrecks – many thanks

  22. Paul Woodhams says

    September 28, 2022 at 7:40 pm

    This is a great article and one I have visited a few times over the last few years.
    I am making a YouTube video of Hells Mouth and would like to post a link back to this for reference.
    Would you mind if I used one of your images of the Cecil Japan ?
    I took some pictures myself back around the time but not very good.

  23. Paul Woodhams says

    September 28, 2022 at 7:45 pm

    sorry please amend .. Secil Japan !

  24. clive robinson says

    February 24, 2023 at 6:47 pm

    Hi I just found your site Boston Whaler Adventures. I was very suprised to see an article on the ferry SWIFT. I remember this boat when I was a young boy being steam, and later when I had a summer job on the Western Belle , Swift had been converted to Diesel. I now live in Canada, Vancouver Island, and my hobby is restoration of old pond yachts. I was given in the mid 80’s a lump of wood that had been carved into a boat hull, It was found up in the attic of an old house in St Helier , Jersey. . I have recarved it and built it into the Swift as she was in her last years. I would post a picture or two of it. It is a full working model and gets sailed now and then. If you are interested let me know where to post. Cheers, Clive

  25. Peter Brown says

    January 15, 2024 at 12:46 am

    Hello,
    I am researching for a follow-up to a book I wrote a few years ago titled ‘Voices From the Arctic Convoys’, and am currently researching for a follow-up book. I’m also familiarising myself with Youtube as a platform for my books, and would like to ask if I may use some pieces from your video ‘Atlantic convoy – Murmansk and Malta’ on Youtube for the 1.5-2 minute video for the book. The sequences will each be just a few seconds long, and will include stills.
    Thanking you,
    Peter C Brown

  26. Frank Seville says

    March 17, 2025 at 5:13 pm

    Hello
    Is it possible to pass on my email address to Alan Jamieson, great nephew of Robert W Nagle, who died in the loss of the submarine A7. His post is under the “Missing” article. Alan would like to find a photo of his father. I believe I may have two.

    Thank you.

    Frank Seville

IMPORTANT: Please note the author of this article, Peter Mitchell, passed away in 2015. Comments are now closed.

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Submerged Books and DVDs

The Wreckers Guide To South West Devon Part 1
The Wrecker's Guide To South West Devon Part 1
The Wreckers Guide To South West Devon Part 2
The Wrecker's Guide To South West Devon Part 2
Plymouth Breakwater Book
The Plymouth Breakwater Book
The Plymouth Breakwater DVD
The Plymouth Breakwater DVD
Shooting Magic DVD
Shooting Magic DVD
Devon Shipwrecks DVD
Devon Shipwrecks DVD
The Silent Menace DVD
The Silent Menace DVD
The Tragedy Of The HMS Dasher DVD
The Tragedy Of the The HMS Dasher DVD
Missing  DVD
Missing: The Story Of The A7 Submarine DVD
HMS Royal Oak DVD
HMS Royal Oak DVD
Bombs And Bullets DVD
Bombs And Bullets DVD
Bay Watch DVD
Bay Watch DVD

Search Submerged

Devon Shipwrecks

  • Blesk
  • Bolt Head To Bolt Tail
  • Cantabria
  • HMS Coronation and the Penlee Cannons
  • Deventure
  • Dimitrios
  • Elk
  • Empire Harry
  • HMS Foyle
  • Fylrix
  • Glen Strathallen
  • Halloween
  • Herzogin Cecillie
  • Hiogo
  • James Egan Layne
  • Jebba
  • Liberta
  • Louis Shied
  • Maine
  • Medoc
  • Nepaul
  • Oregon
  • Persier
  • Plymouth Breakwater
  • Poulmic
  • Prawle Point
  • Ramillies
  • Riversdale
  • Rosehill
  • Skaalla
  • Soudan
  • Sunderland
  • Flying Boats
  • Scylla
  • Totnes Castle
  • Vectis
  • Viking Princess
  • Yvonne

World Shipwrecks

  • Narvik
  • Scilly Isles
  • Scapa Flow
  • Truk Lagoon
  • Falmouth
  • Other World Wrecks
  • South Africa
  • Tombstones
  • Submarines
  • The Ones That Got Away
  • Bombs And Bullets
  • Marine Archeology
  • Wreck Walks

Shipwreck Book Reviews

  • Neutral Buoyancy – Tim Ecott
  • Admiral Shovell’s Treasure-R.Larn & R.McBride
  • The Silent Service – John Parker
  • Scapa Flow In War And Peace-W.S.Hewison
  • This Great Harbour-W.S.Hewison
  • The Duchess-Pamela Eriksson
  • Stokers Submarine-Fred &Liz Brencley
  • The Wreck at Sharpnose Point – J.Seale
  • Business in Great Waters – John Terraine
  • Submarine in Camera – Hall & Kemp
  • Autumn of the Uboats – Geoff Jones
  • Under the Red Sea – Hans Hass
  • To Unplumbed Depths – Hans Hass
  • Goldfinger – Keith Jessop
  • Custom of the Sea – Niel Hanson
  • Stalin’s Gold – Barry Penrose
  • Pieces of Eight – Kip Wagner
  • The Man Who Bought a Navy – Gerald Bowman
  • The Treasure Divers – Kendall McDonald
  • The Deepest Days – Robert Stenhuit
  • The Wreck Hunters – Kendal McDonald
  • Sea Diver – Marion Clayton Link
  • The Other Titanic – Simon Martin
  • Falco,chief diver of the Calypso – Falco & Diole
  • World without Sun – J.Y.Cousteau
  • Ship of Gold – Gary Kinder
  • Seven Miles Down – Piccard & Dietz
  • The Living Sea – J.Y.Cousteau
  • The Undersea Adventure – Philip Diole
  • Life and Death in a Coral Sea – J.Y.Cousteau
  • Dolphins – J.Y.Cousteau
  • Whale – J.Y.Cousteau
  • Shark – J.Y.Cousteau
  • Sea Lion- Elephant Seal and Walrus – J.Y.Cousteau
  • Octopus and Squid – J.Y.Cousteau
  • Shadow Divers – Robert Kurson
  • A Time to Die, the story of the Kursk – R. Moore
  • The Sea Around Us – Rachel Carson

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