Large quantities of 4.7” and anti-aircraft gun shells are strewn around. A 4.7” gun shell manufactured in 1937 was recovered. It had reload date stamps of February and April 1938. Her torpedo tubes are loaded with torpedoes — the warhead noses are visible at the front ends of the tubes. Some tubes have the rear end caps in place, but at least one tube has split, and the twin contra-rotating propellers of the torpedo in the tube can be seen. Depth charges are visible at the stern, and the streamlined asdic housing protrudes from the upturned hull. At least one fishing net is snagged on the wreck.
About 160 relatives attended a memorial service for those lost on HMS Exmouth at Wick Cemetery, and in Wick Old Parish Church on 1/2 September 2001. The Royal Navy presented a White Ensign.
For further information see the official HMS Exmouth 1940 Association website at:
www.geocities.com/exmouthhms1940assoc or www.hms-exmouth.org.uk
| Photographs of the headstones of the sailors from HMS Exmouth and HMS Sphinx buried in the mass grave in Wick cemetary |
| photographs © R N Baird |