Thousands watch frigate big bang

**Parihaka** · 11-13-2005, 17:28 PM

Quote:

14 November 2005
By TIM PANKHURST

It took just one minute 50 seconds to sink HMNZS Wellington in the waters off Island Bay.

Tens of thousands (And me & my little girl) lined the shores around the southern bays yesterday and stood on hilltops to see the former navy frigate scuttled as a dive attraction.

Hundreds more watched from 236 craft – according to the harbourmaster's count – of all shapes and sizes surrounding the grey hulk.

With a crump of explosives and a ball of orange flame the ship settled by the bow, listed alarmingly to port, and promptly sank.

But it was a textbook sinking and the ship is sitting upright on hard sand, 20 metres deep, with its bow pointing into Cook Strait swells.

Spectator Graham Clarke said the experience was worth it, despite getting stuck in traffic. "It was certainly once in a lifetime."

He had watched from Island Bay. "I thought we wouldn't see much at all . . . When I saw it, my god, the explosions and the shock wave, you could feel it through the house."

The first to dive on F69 after police had given the all-clear was Wellington Mayor Kerry Prendergast. She began training for her dive ticket in July in 10-degree water. Yesterday the water had warmed to 13 degrees but it is still a far cry from Fiji's warm waters where she has just holidayed.

The visibility was a surprisingly good six metres and the bridge could be seen from the surface.

The Dominion Post also joined the first dive party, along with National Geographic, which had four cameras placed on the ship to record the blast and sinking for an upcoming documentary.

The first recreational divers were on the wreck just on dusk.

"You've got a world-class wreck here," said Marco Zeeman, the driving force behind the project. "Make the most of it."

He has worked largely voluntarily for six years to bring the Wellington to its final resting place and yesterday was "a very special moment".

The ship was towed to the site at dawn yesterday, gale-force northerlies having forced its cancellation on Saturday.

Project manager Graeme Anderson was a little confused on marine radio. "I'm at a loss what to call myself. I was F69 (Wellington's designation) but I'm not here any more."

Within weeks the first barnacles and weed will appear and the ship will be a haven for fish and rock lobster.

"Goodbye, faithful servant," military chaplain Colonel Julian Wagg said in delivering the last rites.

But the Wellington lives on – as a premier tourist attraction in the peaceful embrace of the sea.

from here
One of the nice things about it is that you'll be able to see her as you fly in to the airport.

**TopHatter** · 11-13-2005, 21:26 PM

Pretty impressive video on that link.
Glad to know she's going to serve on in another role

**Parihaka** · 11-13-2005, 21:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TopHatter

Pretty impressive video on that link.
Glad to know she's going to serve on in another role

They dressed the explosions up with some leftover fireworks from guy fawkes last week, the real exposives were all below the waterline and a lot of holes cut through the hull so she'd sink & settle upright. When they towed her out that morning she looked like swiss cheese.

11-13-2005, 21:26 PM	#2 (permalink)
TopHatter Administrator Join Date: 09-03-03 Location: Fort Myers FL Posts: 9,825 Country:	Pretty impressive video on that link. Glad to know she's going to serve on in another role __________________ If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader. ~John Quincy Adams

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Atheists Lose 1, Deists Gain 1	Confed999	Current Affairs	385	05-22-2008 10:05 AM
What makes a Muslim radical?	astralis	Current Affairs	263	12-22-2006 13:38 PM
Pakistani military accused of storing relief supplies by Human Rights Watch	Srirangan	Political Discussions	11	10-26-2005 15:08 PM
Thank You Black Watch	Leader	The Western Alliance	4	12-14-2004 03:27 AM

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)