Wreck of Royal Navy destroyer sliced in two during night exercise found after 118 years
The wreck of a Royal Navy destroyer which was cut in two during a training exercise 118 years ago has been discovered off the Isle of Wight.
HMS Tiger had eluded wreck-hunters since she sank during night manoeuvres in 1908, after straying into the path of the cruiser HMS Berwick.
Divers and historians from the international diving community, ProjectXplore, located the remains after spending five years studying archive material in an effort to pinpoint where the ship had gone down.
Cut in two during night manoeuvres
HMS Tiger was exercising with the fleet when she crossed the path of the 10,000-ton HMS Berwick.
Neither ship had time to get out of the way before the cruiser struck the destroyer, cutting her in two.
HMS Tiger's bow sank immediately, taking the captain and a number of the crew with it.
The stern remained afloat for about three minutes before it too disappeared beneath the water.
Fewer than half of the destroyer's 57-strong crew survived.
The loss made front page news at the time and King Edward VII sent a telegram of sympathy, while commemorative postcards were produced in memory of the crew.
Leo Fielding and Dan McMullen, co-organisers of ProjectXplore, said: "It has been the privilege of a lifetime to research, discover and document the wreck of HMS Tiger.
"We sincerely hope that our work will ensure that HMS Tiger, her story and the memory of those connected with her endure for future generations."
ProjectXplore also found the wreck of First World War cruiser HMS Nottingham in the North Sea last year
What happens to the wreck?
HMS Tiger has been found just as Parliament considers changes to the law protecting military wrecks.
Under the current Protection of Military Remains Act, ships lost before 4 August 1914 cannot be designated as protected places.
HMS Tiger sank in 1908. The Armed Forces Bill would remove that cut-off and automatically protect newly discovered military wrecks from the outset.
In the 40 years since the act was introduced, around 129 military wrecks have been discovered.
Divers would still be allowed to visit, but disturbing the wreck or removing objects without permission would be an offence.
The proposed changes would also extend protection to much older military vessels and merchant ships lost while serving under Admiralty orders.
"Divers are still able to visit these sites and witness history first hand, which is key to ensuring that these ships and their crews are not forgotten," Jen Smith, Royal Navy Deputy Fleet Wreck Officer Lieutenant Commander, said.
"All we ask of divers is this – enjoy looking, learning and paying your respects at these incredible sites, but do so in a manner that does not disturb them."
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