HMS K-4 and K-17 Submarine Wrecks
subject: Underwater Cultural Heritage
description: From January 31, 1917 to February 1, 1918, a disaster joint operation codenamed Operation E.C.1 and ironically dubbed Battle of May Island, led to the sinking of two submarine vessels. When their exact locations were found in 2011, the wrecks were designated as protected places under the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986. This underwater heritage site is a tangible, immovable heritage that is a reminder of how historical context affected people’s perception of submarines and how the Battle of May Island affected future submarine warfare tactics and informed submarine technology development (armed conflict heritage). Underwater heritage sites are innately susceptible to biological degradation; however, climate change can hasten their destruction by contributing to bacterial spread through changes in conservation patterns, currents and introduction of new biological species. Digital preservation has primarily been through digital charting and imaging done by EMU Limited and Headland Archaeology, commissioned by Mainstream Renewable Power to produce an archaeological technical report in context of the desired offshore wind farm.
source: is51102023
contributor: vbtt1
language: English
type: Site