A dedication to HMS Exeter, the shipwreck that disappeared, featuring 3d renditions of the wreck, by Kevin Denlay and Stefan Draminski

Interviews, Photo gallery, Shipwrecks, Then and Now, WW2, WW2 Pacific Treasures

 Wreck survey report by Kevin Denlay 

3D renditions by Stefan Draminski. (See more 3D wreck images at the bottom of this feature)

WW2 Shipwreck exploration by Kevin Denlay: “Going back in time and bringing the ships back to life” – PART 1

After many years of searching for the wreck in the Java Sea, Indonesia, Vidar Skoglie (at the time the owner/skipper of the dive vessel MV Empress) and three others divers; his wife Alice Skoglie, Capt. Phil Yeutter(USN Retd.) and Kevin Denlay discovered and first dived the wreck on the 21st of February 2007 and that of her consort the destroyer HMS Encounter sunk nearby, using side-scan sonar.

The wreck lay at a depth to the seabed of approximately 61 mts (200 ft) and about 140 km (90 miles) north-west of Bawean Island – some 97 km (60 miles) from the estimated sinking position given by her Captain Gordon in his after-action report made post war after returning from a prison camp in Japan.

Rendition of HMS Exeter signed by several of her veteran survivors.
Rendition of HMS Exeter signed by several of her veteran survivors.

While only several dives on the wreck could made because of time constraints – having found the wreck on the second last day of their fourteen day expedition! – Denlay still managed to video the wreck from bow to stern before they had to set sail for Singapore.

With Empress being booked out well in advance by other charters, another expedition to the wreck was not possible until 2008.

It thus transpired that in April 2008, MV Empress returned to the wreck of HMS Exeter for the first time since the 2007 discovery, this time with a larger group of divers, again including Kevin Denlay, a Fellow International (FI98) with The Explorers Club (HQ’d in New York), who carried Explorers Club Expedition Flag #45.

HMS Exeter crest
HMS Exeter crest

Several of the participants on that expedition helped Denlay further survey the shipwreck and build a thorough picture of her condition.

On departure the group left a Royal Navy Ensign – that had been given to the expedition by the crew of the modern British destroyer HMS Exeter D89 (since decommissioned)  – attached to the torpedo tubes on wreck in honour of her crew and those that perished.

The highlight of this survey confirmed that, as the Japanese destroyer IJN Inazuma had historically claimed, she had hit Exeter with two torpedoes on her starboard side, not just one as historically believed (Exeter had been completely abandoned prior to the torpedoes adding the coup de grace).

HMS Exeter, South Sumatra early February 1942
HMS Exeter, South Sumatra early February 1942

The survey also confirmed that the one torpedo that hit amidships blew out part of the bottom of the hull (and hence why it could be seen by the divers, as the wreck lays on its starboard side) and that the second torpedo had hit just forward of ‘A’ Turret, the forward-most turret, almost severing the bow. (Note: Bearings or angles given in the following report use the clock numbering system, i.e. 12 o’clock is the bow point, 3 o’clock is ninety degrees to starboard / to the right when looking forward, the 6 o’clock position is the very stern
point, while 9 o’clock would be ninety degrees off to port, or to the left when looking forward.)

 HMS Exeter, Java Sea early February 1942
HMS Exeter, Java Sea early February 1942

The wreck itself lays on its starboard side on a heading, or pointing, almost due east.

The main 8 inch (20cm) fore-guns are pointing starboard aft at either maximum aft rotation (‘A’ turret, of which conclusive photographic evidence of same can be seen in the 3D wreck image section of these pages), or almost maximum aft rotation for ‘B’ turret (the second forward turret), that is at an about 4.30 o’clock angle (the very bow being 12 o’clock), and both gun barrels in both turrets are elevated just above level ( to ‘about’ 10 degrees elevation at most).

HMS Exeter, Java Sea early February 1942
HMS Exeter, fighting it out on March 1st, 1942.

The bridge superstructure has collapsed downward towards the seabed somewhat – from both the ‘gravity effect’ and the structural weakening caused by the extensive damage done to the port side of the superstructure from shell hits and subsequent fires – but remains just up off the seabed.

The HACS (High Angle Control System) director has collapsed onto the seabed, as has the foremast, but while the base of the foremast has pulled away from the deck, it otherwise remains intact.

The fore-funnel is ‘missing’ completely, having disintegrated over the years from its metal structure being so weakened by the fires that raged in the forward area above where the fatal shell struck ‘A’ Boiler Room (which immediately severed all power to the ship) rendering her helpless and no longer able to fight back, and hence requiring her subsequent abandonment. Neither starboard dual four inch mounts can be fully discerned as they are buried in the seabed, or covered by collapsed debris.

HMS Exeter capsizing to starboard, March 1st 1942
HMS Exeter capsizing to starboard, March 1st 1942

The aft funnel surprisingly remains intact and still upright. The port catapult (for her ‘Walrus’ seaplane, which was not aboard at the time) has collapsed onto the seabed while the starboard catapult remains in place.

HMS Exeter, just moments before sinking, March 1st 1942
HMS Exeter, just moments before sinking, March 1st 1942

The mainmast has completely collapsed, with one segment of the main ‘post’ hanging suspended from the ship while other parts lay partly buried in the seabed. The surrounding area around the catapults and mainmast were also severely affected by fires prior to the ship sinking, thus weakening all the surrounding metal, much of which has ‘peeled‘ or fallen off’.

The WW2 shipwrecks that disappeared: Underwater explorer Kevin Denlay’s interview on the lost fleet of the Pacific – PART 2

The aft deck-house, while basically ‘intact’ also shows signs of fires and shell hits, while directly below the aft deck-house in the very upper port hull near the deck edge is a sizeable jagged entry hole from what can only have come from a large (8 inch) calibre shell hit from one of the Japanese cruiser off to port (i.e. either IJN Myoko or IJN Ashigara).

The aft 8 inch main turret (‘X’ turret) is pointing off the starboard quarter at about the 3.30 – 4 o’clock position, with both barrels raised to almost their maximum elevation.

HMS Exeter wreck discovery dive team, February 21st 2007. Left to right – Captain Phil Yeutter (USN Retd.), Alice Skoglie, Captain Vidar Skoglie (MV Empress), Kevin Denlay.
HMS Exeter wreck discovery dive team, February 21st 2007. Left to right – Captain Phil Yeutter (USN Retd.), Alice Skoglie, Captain Vidar Skoglie (MV Empress), Kevin Denlay.

(Given that all three main gun turrets point basically off the starboard aft quarter would imply that that aft south-westerly direction was where the main threat was considered to be coming from towards the end of the engagement that sank her, and the direction that Exeter was last firing all her main guns just prior to the fatal shell hit that caused her to lose all power). (This starboard direction was where the four Japanese destroyers, IJN’s Yamakaze,Kawakaze, Akebono and Inazuma, and the two IJN heavy cruisers Haguro and Nachi were engaging
from.)

Just aft of that rearmost, or ‘X’ turret, is a large spilt across the deck and partway down the port side hull, causing the very stern aft of there to have collapsed down onto the seabed.

This collapse has been caused solely by the ‘gravitational effect’ of the weight of the two after-most propellers and rudder weighing down on the unsupported stern over the years underwater, causing it to collapse downwards; it is unequivocally not from a torpedo strike in that area.

On July 27th 2008 a memorial service was held aboard HMS Kent over the wreck of HMS Exeter. The above shows the program booklet cover signed by attendant dignitaries which include; the British Ambassador to Indonesia, the Commodore Portsmouth Flotilla, the Commanding Officer HMS Kent, the Chaplain of HMS Kent (who conducted the memorial service), the four Exeter veterans present, and one veterans son.
On July 27th 2008 a memorial service was held aboard HMS Kent over the wreck of HMS Exeter. The above shows the program booklet cover signed by attendant dignitaries which include; the British Ambassador to Indonesia, the Commodore Portsmouth Flotilla, the Commanding Officer HMS Kent, the Chaplain of HMS Kent (who conducted the memorial service), the four Exeter veterans present, and one veterans son.

A very small almost elongated ‘V’ shaped gap between the starboard deck edge and the seabed, where the aft section canter-levers downwards, allows a diver to swim completely under the hull from the deck side all the way to the propellers and observations from doing so unquestionably confirms that there is no torpedo hit, or hole of any sort, anywhere here, or near here on the starboard side.

The memorial service begins over the wreck site of HMS Exeter on the aft flight deck of HMS Kent
The memorial service begins over the wreck site of HMS Exeter on the aft flight deck of HMS Kent

This collapse was simply caused by gravitational effects alone (after all, the ship was never constructed to be able to carry the massive weight of the two aft-most propellers and rudder when laying on its side). All four propellers were attached and could be seen– although the outer starboard propeller is partly buried in the seabed –  and the rudder itself is in place and points directly forward.

Swimming forward from there along the port deck edge one passes the aforementioned shell hole in the upper hill, past the coral encrusted octuple 40mm anti-aircraft gun mount to the right and then comes to the aft dual 4 inch multipurpose HA / LA gun mount (the so-called ‘secondary’ armament), which points aft at about the 7 o’clock position, barrels elevated just above level.

A large shell hole can been seen in the port upper hull just below the aft superstructure. The diver is holding on to the port deck edge, while in lower left can be seen the upper edge of the armour belt.
A large shell hole can been seen in the port upper hull just below the aft superstructure. The diver is holding on to the port deck edge, while in lower left can be seen the upper edge of the armour belt.

Further forward one comes to the enclosure for the port triple torpedo tubes, stored inboard pointing aft, that according to Captain Oliver Gordon’s After Action Report (made post war as he had spent the rest of the war after Exeter’s sinking in Japanese Prisoner Of War camps) were fired at the Japanese heavy cruisers (Ashigara and Myoko) off to the north (port) at around 11 am, but no hits were reported.

However, wedged under the inner-most torpedo tube is, surprisingly, what has been identified as a torpedo warhead.

What is believed to be a torpedo warhead lodge under the inner port torpedo tube. The measurement dimensions (i.e. length and diameter), and the concave rear 'end' (unseen in this photo) all match the dimensions / peculiarities of the typo of torpedo Exeter carried.
What is believed to be a torpedo warhead lodge under the inner port torpedo tube. The measurement dimensions (i.e. length and diameter), and the concave rear ‘end’ (unseen in this photo) all match the dimensions / peculiarities of the typo of torpedo Exeter carried.

There are no reports of a misfire or how this came to get there, so whether this is an actual warhead from one of the torpedoes, or a practice warhead that has come loose from its storage location upon capsising is unknown.

(Below this location and only slightly aft and right on the seabed is the position of the starboard amidships torpedo hit that blew out part of the bottom of the ship.)

Further forward along the port deck edge is the forward dual 4 inch multipurpose HA /LA gun mount, its barrels also just above level elevation, and pointing aft at about the 6.30 o’clock position, and from where the up-line to the dive vessels was attached.

As part of the memorial service - on behalf of the wreck discovery dive team - exploration diver Kevin Denlay hands over the Royal Navy Ensign that was ‘flown’ on the wreck of HMS Exeter - upon its discovery in 2007 - to four surviving veterans of Exeter’s sinking.
As part of the memorial service – on behalf of the wreck discovery dive team – exploration diver Kevin Denlay hands over the Royal Navy Ensign that was ‘flown’ on the wreck of HMS Exeter – upon its discovery in 2007 – to four surviving veterans of Exeter’s sinking.

Later in 2008, subsequent to the expedition, Denlay was invited to attend a memorial service over the wreck site of HMS Exeter, held aboard the British destroyer HMS Kent F78, and which was also attended by various dignitaries and four surviving veterans of HMS Exeter’s sinking.

HMS Exeter veteran’s Rob Rae, George Gaskel, Bill Francis and Joe Asher examining the Royal Navy Ensign which had been presented to them having previously been ‘flown’ on the wreck of their old ship upon its discovery in 2007.
HMS Exeter veterans Rob Rae, George Gaskel, Bill Francis and Joe Asher examining the Royal Navy Ensign which had been presented to them having previously been ‘flown’ on the wreck of their old ship upon its discovery in 2007.

During the memorial service Denlay presented the four veterans with the Royal Navy Ensign he had also flown over the wreck (not to be confused with the Ensign that was left attached to the wreck) and which has since been made into a Standard and is kept at Exeter Cathedral (in England) and brought out during the ceremony held in Exeter city every year on the anniversary of her sinking.

Full of thoughtfulness and respect, the HMS Exeter sinking veterans solemnly prepare to place a floral wreath over the wreck of their old ship.
Full of thoughtfulness and respect, the HMS Exeter sinking veterans solemnly prepare to place a floral wreath over the wreck of their old ship.

 

As the memorial service comes to a close aboard HMS Kent, the HMS Exeter veterans release the wreath and look down thoughtfully towards the resting place of their old ship.
As the memorial service comes to a close aboard HMS Kent, the HMS Exeter veterans release the wreath and look down thoughtfully towards the resting place of their old ship.
Commemorative wreath floats over the wreck of HMS Exeter, July 27 th 2008. They have no grave but the cruel sea, No flowers lay at their head, A rusting hulk is their tombstone, Afast on the ocean bed.
Commemorative wreath floats over the wreck of HMS Exeter, July 27 th 2008.
They have no grave but the cruel sea,
No flowers lay at their head,
A rusting hulk is their tombstone,
Afast on the ocean bed.

Sadly, in 2016 the wreck of HMS Exeter, and her consort from the battle on March 1st, HMS Encounter, and several other warships from the previous battle on February 28th (including Hr. Ms. Kortenaer, HMS Electra,  Hr. Ms. Java and Hr. Ms. De Ruyter) were discovered either partially or complete salvaged, the work of an illegal salvage company using larger ‘grab’ barges. 

Unfortunately not so ‘afast! In 2016 an expedition to the wreck site (carrying TEC Flag 192) discovered all that remained of HMS Exeter was a hole left in the ocean bed by the illegal salvager’s that literally stole the once proud ship.
Unfortunately not so ‘afast! In 2016 an expedition to the wreck site (carrying TEC Flag 192) discovered all that remained of HMS Exeter was a hole left in the ocean bed by the illegal salvagers that literally stole the once proud ship.
A Royal Navy Ensign
A Royal Navy Ensign
The wreck lays on its starboard side and points almost due east. Sand and debris has built up along the seabed throughout amidships, making indiscernible parts of the starboard side deck.
The wreck lays on its starboard side and points almost due east. Sand and debris has built up along the seabed throughout amidships, making indiscernible parts of the starboard side deck.
The wreck shown from the bow and the stern, and while the damage to the bow is definitely from a torpedo hit, the crack across aft is definitely not; it is simply from ‘gravitational effects’ as describe in the survey report.
The wreck shown from the bow and the stern, and while the damage to the bow is definitely from a torpedo hit, the crack across aft is definitely not; it is simply from ‘gravitational effects’ as described in the survey report.
There can be no dispute with regards the aft-angle the fore-guns point. The number ‘1’ in both images show the angled edge of the forward deck house, while ‘2’ in top image shows the maximum aft traverse allowed for the gun, and in the bottom image - “pulled” from video - shows how close to #1 that barrel is; that is ‘A’ turret is trained aft at maximum aft traverse (and ‘B’ turret only just slightly less so).
There can be no dispute with regards the aft-angle the fore-guns point. The number ‘1’ in both images show the angled edge of the forward deck house, while ‘2’ in top image shows the maximum aft traverse allowed for the gun, and in the bottom image – “pulled” from video – shows how close to #1 that barrel is; that is ‘A’ turret is trained aft at maximum aft traverse (and ‘B’ turret only just slightly less so).
The wreck looking from the underside, or bottom. The location of the torpedo hit to starboard amidships is clearly visible where it has blown out part of the bottom of the ship. This suggest that the ship was well on its way to capsizing to port - as historically stated - when this torpedo hit very low on the starboard hull.
The wreck looking from the underside, or bottom. The location of the torpedo hit to starboard amidships is clearly visible where it has blown out part of the bottom of the ship. This suggest that the ship was well on its way to capsizing to port – as historically stated – when this torpedo hit very low on the starboard hull.
Views from the stern and bow from a higher angle.
Views from the stern and bow from a higher angle.
Close-ups of Exeter’s stern. As stated in the survey report, this split / crack is caused by gravitational effects alone. Divers have swum under and inspected the wreck from the deck side to the propellers and found no evidence of any hit, be it from gunfire or torpedo.
Close-ups of Exeter’s stern. As stated in the survey report, this split / crack is caused by gravitational effects alone. Divers have swum under and inspected the wreck from the deck side to the propellers and found no evidence of any hit, be it from gunfire or torpedo.
Looking in at the bottom or underside of the wreck. Because of ocean current flow directions, etc, very little sediment has built up on this side, so little that the starboard bilge keel is still visible in parts right on the seabed.
Looking in at the bottom or underside of the wreck. Because of ocean current flow directions, etc, very little sediment has built up on this side, so little that the starboard bilge keel is still visible in parts right on the seabed.
The red star shows the approximate location where the devastating shell hit and entered ‘A’ (or the forward) boiler room and knocked out all power to the ship, causing her abandonment. The red dots show the exact location of the two torpedo hit locations to starboard after the ship had been abandoned. The one amidships hit into the ‘B’ (or aft) boiler room, while the one to the bow hit just forward of the breakwater in front of ‘A’ turret, almost severing the bow.
The red star shows the approximate location where the devastating shell hit and entered ‘A’ (or the forward) boiler room and knocked out all power to the ship, causing her abandonment. The red dots show the exact location of the two torpedo hit locations to starboard after the ship had been abandoned. The one amidships hit into the ‘B’ (or aft) boiler room, while the one to the bow hit just forward of the breakwater in front of ‘A’ turret, almost severing the bow.

X-Ensign Exeter Semper Fidelis