Fieldwork Investigations
In July 2010 two HWTMA dive teams, joined by Martin Davies and Jim Fuller from SSAC, visited both groups of material as part of the Eastern Solent Marine Archaeology Project 2010.
The hull section of LCT(A) 2428 is scattered across a large area, as would be expected of a vessel approximately 37m in length. Divers observed 'goal-post'-like upright elements that represent the hull and deck beam supports of the original vessel, as well as an extensive engine block arrangement including a propeller and shaft. There appear to be two main concentrations of wreckage with other significant material distributed across a wider area of seabed.
Further to the west, a cluster of armoured vehicles lie on the seabed in much the same arrangement as they would have occupied in the vehicle bay aboard LCT(A) 2428. SSAC divers have produced measured plans of this assemblage, including two Centaur CS IV tanks laying side by side, with two D7 armoured bulldozers immediately to the south. The remains of an armoured vehicle are present to the north amongst a dense distribution of ammunition!
Further work was conducted in September 2010, including a detailed survey of the vehicles themselves to produce a three-dimensional site plan. The establishment of monitoring points was completed, and this, with the fixed location of the wreck features will enable an understanding of the relative stability of the sites, which will inform an assessment of the potential benefits of statutory heritage protection. The fieldwork results, including the survey work and oral history podcast are available through the download section of this website.