on October 22, 2009 at 8:56 am

Carlos Santos says:

I would like to clarify that the two mentioned vessels were sunk in 1978 (I still have all the press cuttings and possibly the biggest collection of photos of the sinkings). 



The vessels were not sunk by the SA Navy but were sunk by myself with the assitance of an explosives exper from AECI . Each vessel was blown up with 100kgs gelignite, hence the great gaping holes on the port and starboard of both vessels.



The ships were purchased by myself and my two business partners Barry and Mike Steenkamp and we striped them of all valuable metals prior to the sinking after we donated the hulks to the False Bay Conservation Society for the creation of artificial reefs.



The sinkings created great controversy in the press, Cape Times and Argus well documented and i have all the original klippings.

The South African Navy did not accept my offer for them to sink the wessels but it was declined due to the controversy between myself and the depatment of transpot/Sea fisheries.  My great mate Leftenant Commander Arthur Sibthorpe the then head of the navys diving scoll in Simonstown and a fellow diver when i engaged in the sport for many years was rather disapointed with the Navys decision not to accept my offer.



AS great story that should be corrected.

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