Bombardon Unit
Depth: 16m
Location: Portland Harbour
Marks(LatLong/GPS): 50 34.33N, 02 24.91W
Description: Experimental wave breaking device that was found not to work too well. Hard up against it is a boat, most likely a VIC.
Unfortunately my drawing is too big to fit on this board but the link below takes you to my Photobucket page where you can see it.
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj88/PRD68/Wrecks/BombardonUnit.jpgThis is one of the wrecks inside Portland Harbour and provides a great dive at shallow depth. It is to be noted however that it can be very silty and so a bit of care should be exercised - especially if you venture inside.
The Bombardon Unit itself is an X shaped structure with supporting struts. It has rusted through in quite a few places and after the winter storms a couple of years ago it is possible to swim right through it in one place.
Leaning up against the Bombardon Unit is a boat that is lying on its side. This creates a swim though between the two, though it does get narrow at one part. The boat is most likely a VIC (Viticulling Inshore Craft), a craft produced during WWII to supply ships in or close to harbours with stores and provisions. The remains of where the crane used to be can be seen along with the winch motor. There are a couple of areas that can be penitrated, the main hold being rather roomy but the fore section is a squeeze to get into.
Some spidge recovered from the VIC
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj88/PRD68/Junk/BombardonSpidge.jpgFrom the end of the Bombardon Unit there is a white line (ok, it's more of a mucky grey line
) which leads you parallel to the harbour wall to a Landing craft. This sits upright and the diesel engines can be clearly seen. A small plaque has been attached to the stern.
