The Armed Merchant Raider HK "KOMET"
KOMET
This wreck was discovered by Innes McCartney in the English Channel on 4 Jul 2006. It lies some miles from the official position in an area of very strong tides and in a depth of 70m (240ft). The raider KOMET was sunk in a night action with British destroyers and an MTB in October 1942. She was seen to explode in a fireball and break in half. The wreck is in two halves. Time constraints meant we only examined the stern. It took a while to work out how to negotiate the treacherous currents in the area, but the reward was worth it! The discovery of the only known example of a Nazi raider.
The fired 155mm shell cases on the seabed were
a vital clue to the wreck's identity.
Underneath the stern section, the 155mm
gun, positioned aft of the stern mast, pokes out of the seabed. After clearing
away the marine growth its calibre was measured and is correct for KOMET.
The steps to the aft castle lie on the seabed.
The currents run fiercely over the upturned hull.
Part of KOMET's stern mast lying against the
side of the wreck.
The port side is sealed to the seabed.