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HM Drifter EDDY,
was
built by A. Hall & was launched as a dredger or drifter on 6th
August 1918 and sunk after hitting a mine on 26 May 1942 seven
cables off Grand Harbour. The wreck was found at a depth of 56
meters not much maritime history is known on this vessel except
that she carried port duties in the UK. Prior to WW2 she sailed
to Malta to continue these same duties in Grand Harbour for the
Royal Navy.
After the
commencement of WW2, HM Drifter Eddy was rigged to sweep for
mines. In those days minesweepers were mainly
built of wood, HM Drifter Eddy on the other hand has a steel
hull which made this vessel unsuitable for this job. Due to
war necessity & improvisation HM Drifter Eddy had to carry
out this role only to fall victim of a mine herself.
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HM Drifter Eddy in front of Senglea
Marina c.1940
(Sunday Times of Malta Dated 1st Aug 1999) |
The HM Drifter Eddy
was hit by a mine and it sunk. It has a large
hole in its hull on the starboard side caused by the fatal
hit 26th May 1942).
The Wreck: The main deck is mainly wooden so most of the
superstructure has collapsed over the years. There is a lot
of sediment inside which quickly silt up and reduce the
visibility to nil. A trap for the unwary diver. This is a
small wreck by comparison as it is about 27 meters long and
has a beam of 6 meters (wide). Most of its navigation
equipment is still on the bridge although lying flat they
still indicate the course the ship was heading to at the
time of the explosion. |
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The Wreck lies at a depth of 56
meters off Grand Harbour.
Diving on this
wreck is considered hazardous due to its close proximity of
Grand Harbour entrance & ship traffic in and out of Valletta
Harbour
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