Underwater archaeology has been brought to public attention recently as a result of events such as the Mary Rose (Henry VIII’s warship that sank in 1545) being exhibited in Portsmouth and the English Heritage extending its land-based remit to offer dive trails of underwater sites such as the wreck of HMS Colossus (a Royal Navy ship that sank off the Isles of Scilly in 1798).
Today, the RAF Museum in Cosford has reported that it has been successful in retrieving a German World War Two bomber from the English Channel. This was all the more triumphant after initial set-backs; the project was forced to abort its efforts to salvage the Dornier 17 (Do-17) bomber earlier this month due to adverse weather conditions, following which the campaign was bolstered by donations to allow a second attempt.
The Dornier 17 was used extensively in the Luftwaffe bombing campaign, the Battle of Britain, in 1940. The salvage of the wreck, which laid off Goodwin Sands in Kent, will offer the first opportunity to study what is believed to be the only complete example in the world. Since its discovery two years ago, the RAF Museum has worked with Wessex Archaeology to undertake a survey and make preparations for the recovery of the Do-17. It is anticipated that the aircraft will be put on display to the public following an extensive preservation project.