Post by UKarchaeology on Apr 2, 2016 21:21:19 GMT
Artistic impression of V44 and V82, shortly after beaching at Whale Island, Portsmouth (Reproduced with permission of Mike Greaves, ASGFA, Greaves2Connections)
The wrecks of two German First World War destroyers have been identified at Britain's main naval base.
One of the warships rediscovered by archaeologists in Portsmouth Harbour has been identified as a veteran of the Battle of Jutland.
Both surrendered with the German fleet in 1918 and were later used for target practice in Portsmouth before being sold for scrap.
Today, their remains lie buried in mudflats opposite a cross-channel ferry terminal, exposed only at very low tide.
News of the find has heightened significance in 2016 as Portsmouth prepares to host events marking the centenary of Jutland, the biggest naval battle of the Great War.
''Very little of the German High Seas Fleet remains today and still less can be seen above the waterline," says the Maritime Archaeology Trust (MAT).
Researchers have pieced together the story of the wrecks from British and German sources, with help from academics and volunteers.
Their identification - as the destroyers V44 and V82 - has come about as part of MAT's Heritage Lottery-funded project exploring Forgotten Wrecks of the First World War on England's south coast.
Full story/pics: www.centenarynews.com/article/forgotten-wrecks-project-finds-german-ww1-warships-in-portsmouth