Scuba diving in HMS Southwold

HMS Southwold, a British Hunt-class destroyer was launched in 1941. She was used for convoy escorts in the Mediterranean but served only for few months. On 24 March 1942, when she activated a land mine, she sustained structural damages caused by an explosion. She then was towed by a tug, but her hull suddenly split into two pieces and she sank. Now the two sections of the wreck lie at the depth of around 70m/230ft approximately 2.4km/1.5 mi of Marsaskala Bay. The largest piece, which is the bow of the wreck is about 40m/130ft long, and another part, 28m/91ft long, lies at the distance of about 300m/980ft from it. This dive can only be attempted by divers with deep-diving experience due to the extreme depth of this site.