Scuba Diving in Malta is considered the best diving in the Mediterranean. The Maltese islands are blessed with warm temperatures, even in winter, clear, unpolluted seas, with visibility underwater in excess of thirty metres. Hundreds of kilometres of coastline, many of which are still unexplored, make the Maltese archipelago a favourite with adventurous divers.

HMS NASTURTIUM (FLOWER CLASS SLOOP - ARABIS TYPE)

HMS Delphinium, same as the HMS Nasturtium was built in December 1915,  the number of Flowers built in WW1 show just how seriously the mine threat was taken, the fear was that the Fleet would be lured onto mine field and be decimated. Converted trawlers were used to combat mines in merchant shipping zones, but these Sloops were purpose built to clear a path for the Fleet in the deep waters.

Flower- Class Sloop - Arabis type     Displacement: 1250 tons   Length: 255.25 (p.p.), 267.75 (o.a.) feet   Beam: 33.5 feet   Draught: 11.33 - 11.75 feet (max. draught)   Propulsion:  Machinery: 1 set 4-cylinder triple expansion. Boilers: 2 cylindrical. 1 screw.   Range: Coal: 130 tons normal, 260 tons max. = about 2000 miles at 15 kts.   Speed: Designed 17 kts   Complement:  79 men   Armament: Typically 2 x 4.7 inch or 4 inch, 2 x 3 pdr. AA with some lesser variants The Arabis Class Sloops were built under the Emergency War Programme for the Royal Navy in World War I as part of the larger "Flower Class", which were also referred to as the "Cabbage Class", or "Herbaceous Borders". The HMS Nasturtium was Built By Shipbuilder A. McMillan & Son Ltd., Laid done  July 1st 1915 and Launched on the 21st December 1915. On the 27th April 1916 it was mined by U-73 (same day that the HMS Russell was lost) close to Malta.  Wreck lies at a depth of 135m

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