HMS Victoria is a pre-dreadnought battle ship, lauched in 1887. She was accidently sunk in June 1893, after a collision with HMS Camperdown during manoeuvres. Most of the blame for the incedent was places on Vice-Admiral Sir George Tryon, commander of the British Mediterranean Fleet, who was on board and ordered the manoeuvre.
The wreck today lies offshore tripoli in Lebanon, and is unique in that it stands vertically, completely unsuported. Her bows are firmily inplanted in the seabed at 146m, while here props stand free in the water at 77m.
Eventually, after our initial problems, we were able to get 2 dives on HMS Victoria. The footage below is from our first dive, and is from approximately 100m upwards. Unfortantely, a nice crack appeared in the viewfinder of my camera housing, so I decided to leave it in the hotel than risk it on the deeper second dive.
Despite the risk of fishing line, and the constant distance dynamite explosions from fishing and wreck breaking, HMS Victoria is a truely stunning dive. The orientation of the wrecks, as well as provided a perfect shot line and place to store additional bailout gases, makes it quite atmospheric and remarkable, and leaves you wondering how long will her armour belt keep her upright and vertical.
Unfortunately, it is also evident that the wreck has been heavily looted, particulally in the shallow areas where whole cabins have been systematiclly cleaned.
Absolutely superb. I am chompin at the bit. Hope its still there when its my turn.