The Atlantic Ocean - HMS Southampton
Locations
The Atlantic Ocean
Location map
Introduction
The Atlantic is the second largest ocean on the planet. It is the resting place of the Titanic, home to the mysterious Bermuda Triangle and is the youngest of the Earth's great oceans. It reaches depths of 8,500 metres. Oceans investigates this influential body of water from a group of islands in its western reaches - the Bahamas.
HMS Southampton
Overview
The wreck of the Southampton dates from a conflict long since forgotten by many, the War of 1812, when America and the British Empire were at war over Atlantic trade routes.
In 1812 the HMS Southampton captured the American vessel the USS Vixen and its crew. The British intended to tow the USS Vixen to Jamaica and throw the crew in jail, but she ran aground off Conception Island and both boats sank. Very little remains of the Vixen but various artefacts from the Southampton such as cannons and an anchor still lie on the sea bed.
| Importance: | Evidence of US and British maritime history. |
| Dive category: | This is a shallow dive which does not go deeper than 7.6m. |
| Access: | The exact location is a closely guarded secret and this has protected the wreck from being salvaged. The shallow reef ensures that no large boats can approach this site. |
Interesting for
- The first true frigate ever built?
- The Royal Navy gives a brief account of the HMS Southampton's family tree.
- HMS Southampton
- The history of the USS Vixen
- Wikipedia describes the history of the USS Vixen.
- USS Vixen
BBC related content
- Oceans presenter biography: Lucy Blue
- Oceans image gallery: The Atlantic Ocean
- BBC History: An introduction to wreck diving
Episode region
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