Project Meeting ~ 25th October

9 Members attended the meeting. Sheila (Hon Sec) has produced & circulated the notes. Key points of which are given here:-

Visit to Public Records Office (Kew). Andy is organising a day trip to Kew on Wednesday 6th December
Update 29/11/06 - 6th Dec trip cancelled due to numbers , to be re-arranged!

NAS Course Feedback. Andy , Tracey & Chris attended the NAS Introductory Course and said they found it interesting & informative. TRT Group members who have not attended are recommended to do so!

Accounts. It was decided to open a bank account for the Group in the name of Meridian Divers (in recognition that the Groups interest were wider than the current project (TRT).

Dive Boat. Alan announced that MacD , the brand new diving RIB was now up & running. This should allow us to more readily pursue project dives.

Nautical Archaeology Society ~ Training

The TR Thompson Project Group recognise the need for responsible diving on what amounts to a part of our national heritage. As a result the Project Group encourage members to undertake training with the Nauticla Archaeology Society .

The Nautical Archaeology Society is a non-government organisation formed to further interest in our underwater cultural heritage. Thery are a registered charity based in the United Kingdom, but with strong links to sister organisations around the world

On 21st October 2006 the following three members joined the list of those who have undertaken NAS training, when they completed their "Introduction to Foreshore & Undewater Archaeology Course" at Fort Cumberland:-

Tracey M

Andy N

Chris P

Thanks to the NAS for an interesting, well presented and helpful course.

Project Meeting 27th September

The key points from the last meeting:-

1. Measurements of the wreck should be checked at 2 yearly intervals to assess the rate of movement / change.

2. Ian B (NAS) indicated that we may be able to video the wreck in 2007.

3. Ownership of the wreck needs to be established. (NAS will enquire with reagrd to the benefits & liabilities of ownership)

4. More research (in peson) required at the Public Records office / NMM.

5. Possible side scan sonar survey in 2007.

Notes from the meeting have been produced by Sheila and will be circulated to those present.

Useful Research Website from the NAS

The NAS have forwarded the following website URL that may prove useful in the T R Thompson research :-

www.mariners-l.co.uk

Researching the mariners and ships of the merchant marine and the world's navies.

Project meeting 27/09/06

T.R.T Anchor

T.R.T Anchor still in hawser

Bollards

T.R.T Mooring Bollards

TRT prop

TRT Propeller

View of T.R.T stern looking up from sea bed

TRT images August 2005 Bank Holiday

Hull Plating

Images captured on last years memorable August Bank holiday Dive on the TRT taken by Matt Waterson.

TRT measuring exercise 25th August 2006

Our first attempt at measuring various pieces of the T.R.Thompson on the 25th highlighted how difficult measuring underwater can be. Having undertaken an N.A.S part one course a few years ago I had forgotten that measuring underwater is completely different to measuring on land.

Partnering up with Jim H we decided on what to measure before the dive and who was doing what. I had the easier job of just reeling off the tape whilst Jim took and noted the measurements which are listed below.

One of the questions we raised after doing this is how will these measurements and perhaps others in the future benefit the project? Are we just measuring for the sake of it?

Obviously the use of datums etc is a different ball game and is useful for plotting exact positions of items on the wreck if we want to produce a detailed map but as a team I feel we lack the experience to do this at this time.

Listed below are the measurements :-

Propeller bladehub to tip 2.24m width 1.04m

Top of pintle on rudder(seabed) to tip of centre stern rib 11.65m

Tip of centre stern rib to steering quadrant post 3.60m

Height of steering quadrant post 2.8m length from post to centre point of 'T bar' o-----)

Width of 'T Bar', 2.0m point to point

2.4m gun barrel tip to breech 3.2m base of mount to barrel

Profile of the Thompson

Profile from the 2nd dive on the 25th.

Simplified Impression of TRT wreck layout

Clicking on this impression will enlarge it . It is a very basic what's where diagram that I hope we can add to / improve / replace as we 'map' more of the wreck.

TRT Group Meeting 23rd August

A summary of the key points:-

1. Story so Far –
Circulate document (Chris 1st) amendments and additions using ‘track changes’
Action: Andy
Response: In hand (28/9/06)

2. Success List – Goals etc.
Action: Tad
Response: Done (presented at 27th Sept Meeting)

3. Future Meetings – Notes of meeting and agenda for each meeting
Action: Sheila
Response: Done!

4. Link to NAS website
Action: Chris
Response: NAS requested on 11th August 2006 - have advised that the link should be in place within a week.

5. Project Format – DVD, booklet etc.
Action: Tad
Response: Done - Project will aim to produce a DVD.

6. Ian Barefoot – Arrange visit
Action: Chris
Response: Ian attending the next TRT meeting on the 27th September.

7. NAS courses – Details and dates for courses (see below on Blog)
Action: Andy
Response: See existing entry on this Blog & add comments as required.

Sheila (Secty)

Impression of Deck Gun

An impression of the deck gun on the TRT drawn by Chris-P following the dives of 25th August. The gun and mounting is heavily fixed to a substantial plate / decking secton . The Plate is lying at a angle of perhaps 45 degrees . Apart from a double bollard the plate and area of the gun is unobstructed. The Barrel of the gun was measured to be 3.2 metres long.

Some TRT Images (taken 25/8/06)

Hatch (foreward of Midships)

'Pump' & Railing (near midships)

Muzzle of Gun (near stern)

Double Dive on the TRT ~ 25th August

The TRT Group undertook two dives from Nauticat. Departing from Brighton at 6am with the fist dive on a low tide at 7am. The second dive took place on the later high tide giving us a very long seaborne surface interval . The first dive was dark due to a low sun and low viz. Photography was very limited and the plan to measure some dimensions was itself wrecked! The second dive was deeper and therefore shorter. Being a little lighter some measurements were taken and more camera shots attempted. After the dive the immediate 'findings' were reviewed over a Harvey's at the Badgers watch. A simple lay out sketch was produced and measurements considered. More info to follow!

T R T Dives ~ 25th August 6am Sharp

Info from Sara B , the Thompson dives for 25th are "ON". Boat leaves Brighton Marina at 6 am sharp. Oh that's early! It had better be good!

NAS Introductory Training ~ Names Here !!

The NAS Introductory course is planned for Saturday 21st October . Cost £45.00 If you are interested in doing this course add a comment!

1. Andy N
2. Tracey M
3. Chris P
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

TRT Group Meeting 23rd August - Use of Blog

Special welcome to three new blog members , who have 'passed' the technology test and accepted invites to join the TRT blog:-

Shiela & Ernie
Tracey & Andy
Debbie

Welcome aboard!