HYDROVIUS
ANTI SUBMARINE NET TENDING VESSEL
Close to the fish farms at Parteni is a very unusual vessel. This converted ship, of Italian origin served as an anti-submarine net tender almost a
floating platform for the winches required for the job.
The raised fo’c’sle shows the cables running forward to the nets, but anchor chains are missing. In the aft corners are strange dome shaped castings,
purpose unknown. Steps lead down to the fore deck and both fo’c’sle doors are ajar but seized. Access denied!
Two cargo holds are separated by a huge winch, part of the equipment required for closing the nets. The second hold is ripped open on the port
side. This is where the torpedo struck. Access to the lower (tween) decks can be gained through these openings. Aft of these holds companionways
run aft down both sides of the superstructure.
Her superstructure lacks a funnel and bridge deck, indeed there is no sign of where her funnel once stood and there are no wing bridges. Her
Galley is found at the front of the remaining superstructure, the access door situated on her port side with the serving hatch forward. A metal
canopy hangs above the openings .The single story superstructure is flanked by outward companionways and all the decking has disappeared,
leaving a skeletal frame work.
Directly aft of the deck house is the engine room entrance canopy, and twin ventilator roofs, complete with portholes. The Engine has been
removed.
The poop or aft deck has the remains of her accommodation below decks, and at the time of writing, an intact wash hand basin remains partly
buried in the silt. Due to the lack of wooden decking this area too is easily accessible. Judging from the location of portholes the aft section was
used for crew’s accommodation.
The stern is very rounded and chains run aft from both quarters. 20mtrs off the stern are 2 more huge winches, used in moving the anti- submarine
nets. The steering quadrant remains on the aft (poop) deck as does the rudder but the propeller has been removed.
Lying off the starboard side amidships, on the seabed, is another huge winch. Presumably caused by the explosion from the torpedo strike