H.M.S. Hood Today
Photos of the Wreck of H.M.S. Hood in 2001

Updated 28-Aug-2012

Contained herein, are many photos of the wreck of H.M.S. Hood as it appeared at the bottom of the Denmark Strait in 2001. We owe a special debt of gratitude to our friend David L. Mearns of Blue Water Recoveries Ltd, for generously allowing us to post these photos here. Additionally, we would also like to thank renowned author and draughtsman John Roberts for his invaluable assistance in helping us to identify items pictured here. Lastly, much thanks to accomplished graphics artist Thomas Schmid, for the computer renderings shown here.

Important Notice: These photographs have been exclusively loaned for display here on the official H.M.S. Hood Association web site, and are not to be downloaded or republished elsewhere without the express permission of David L. Mearns and Blue Water Recoveries Ltd. The wreck renderings may not be downloaded or republished elsewhere without the express permission of Thomas Schmid.

Assorted Debris & Wreckage, Part 2
When Hood exploded, collapsed and sank, the ship was violently ripped apart. Much of what was deposited on the ocean floor was severely distorted, making recognition difficult. When preparing these pages, we were only able to consult the photos presented here. We were not able to view the raw video footage, or see most items from different perspectives. These limitations, combined with the lack of any scale indicator, made precise determinations difficult at best. Nevertheless, we've done our best to identify the various pictured pieces here.
Please note that we have slightly modified these photos: all were reduced in size and lightened/brightened somewhat to reduce the "murkiness" inherent in underwater photographs. Lastly, please be aware that this page is image intensive, and may take some time to fully load.

Two views of the Hood wreck site: On the left, an Ocean Explorer 6000 side-scan sonar image created in July 2001; On the right, an enhanced and annotated version of that same sonar image.
Click on image to view larger version.

One of Hood's bells (most likely her main bell) lying amongst a pile of twisted debris. It is perched against a large, slanting bulkhead, possibly from the Admiral or Captain's cabins. The bell is in the very centre of the photo.

  
The bell, then and now. To the left is a photo of the bell sitting just ahead of "X" turret in the mid 1930s. On the right, is a close-up of the bell in the wreckage. Under the coating of sediment, the brass of this typical Royal Navy type bell still shows through. It should be inscribed "HMS HOOD 1920". Within its open end, there may also be the enscribed names of children christened aboard Hood.

Assorted debris. The circular item appears to be an interior scuttle frame. The square opening would appear to be a ventilation trunk. At the bottom of the photo, just to the left of centre, belted 2lb Pom Pom ammunition is visible.

 
Frame of a wooden platform. This could be one of the leadsmans platforms, or, possibly a ladder platform. In the photo to the right, you can see such a platform on a stowed accommodation ladder.

Propeller shafting near the outermost screws in the eastern debris field.

 
Above/Left- Belted 2lb Pom Pom ammunition and deformed 4" shell brass casings sitting atop plating/debris. A close-up is shown in the right hand image.

 
Above/Left- The centre portion and HACS base of the After Superstructure. We've rotated the photo to a portrait layout in order to make it more readily recognisable to readers. Its shown here with its top pointing up and to the right. Though the searchlight platform, actual HACS Mk III* director and the After Concentrating Position have been ripped away (in fact, the entire rear portion is ripped away), this area is still surprisingly intact (considering its proximity to the conflagration/explosion). The thin part at the top/right is the cylindrical base of the missing HACS Mk III* director is The computer graphic on the right shows what this structure looked like before the sinking.

A large section of plating. Probably one of the large portions of the hull from the engineering spaces.

Lowest portion of the Conning Tower. Note the doorway in the light bulkhead to the right. Also note the electrical wiring. The interior is surprisingly intact.

Another view of the base of the Conning Tower. Note the bundles of electrical wires dispersed throughout this section (that is not plant life!).

More twisted plating. Possibly a superstructure bulkhead.

Yet another poignant reminder of the human element - a stoker's boot. It is one of many seen dispersed throughout the wreck site.

 
Above/Left- Smaller bits of debris. Crushed tubing and what may be a mess tin (centre) or a slightly deformed bucket/pot. Above/Right is a close-up of said item taken from a slightly different vantage point.

It is difficult to say what the 'crumpled' item on the right is. It could be extremely deformed metal, but its more likely leather outerwear of some sort. Its lying atop a chain. This chain may be part of one the 4" ammunition dredger hoists, or some other type of hoist.