H.M.S. Hermes 9 – Scuba Dive Site – Batticaloa

This H.M.S. Hermes was the ninth of Hermes warships. And most importantly this is the first purposely built aircraft carrier for Royal British Navy. She weighted 10,850 tons. And she was heavily armed with anti-aircraft guns and more.

But scout plains of Hōshō (flying phoenix), the first ever world aircraft carrier, which belonged to Japanese Imperial Navy, were the winning side that day, 09 April 1942. Vice admiral Chiuchi Nagumo, who had led the attack on Pearl Harbour, was leading the Japanese strike force that day. This series of air attack was recorded as the most accurate air bombing campaign in entire Second World War.

At 9 AM Hermes was receiving fire. Her fate was decided with the loss of the Captain, R.J.F. Onslow, 19 officers and 288 sailors on board.  She now lies in the sea bottom off the coast of Batticaloa. 

As Mark Powell writes, 'the wreck is home to a large variety of marine life. Large tuna, grouper and jacks flock around the wreck as well as a huge number of other fish. Some of these are of impressive size with one grouper being considerably larger than me. Some of the tuna are also a very impressive sight. As well as the fish, a huge variety of coral and other marine life means that there is significantly more life on this wreck than on the vast majority of reefs.'

A daughter of a perished seaman cherishes Hermes's, 'more life on this wreck than on the majority of reefs is the Mother Nature's way of remembering all those who perished in Second World War.' 

Hermes accompanied two support vessels, H.M.A.S. Vampire (not found yet) and R.F.A. tankers SS British Sergeant.

Check out Dharshana Jayawardena's site for all you want to know about this great wreck and ship.

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