Wave Shape
Wave Shape

Henry B Plant

Wave Shape

Henry B Plant

Built for the United States War Shipping Administration with the hull laid down on the 9th November 1944; she measured 7,240 tons; with triple-expansion engines. She was launched on the 11 December 1944. On the February 6th, 1945, 17 miles west of Ramsgate on a voyage from New York and Liverpool to Antwerp in the convoy TAM-71 the Henry B Plant was torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine U-245. The lookouts had spotted the U-boat 300 yards off the starboard side, but it was too late to evade the torpedo. The explosion severely damaged the ship and she rapidly sank, sinking stern first within five minutes. Most of the eight officers, 33 crew members, 28 armed guards (the ship was armed with one 5in, one 3in and eight 20mm guns) and one passenger (an Army security officer) had to jump overboard, they only managed to launch one lifeboat and four rafts. The survivors were picked up by the HMS Hazard and the HMS Sir Lancelot. One officer, eight crew members and seven armed guards drowned.

Diving: This is a fantastic dive, if you imagine this Liberty Ship on its starboard side you will not go far wrong. The hatch covers are gone and the cargo of temporary bridge tracks and ceramic isolators used on high power cables has slid down in the wreck. All the masts and derricks are in place although most have collapsed down towards the seabed, the guns are present and are intact. The main masts are still in place and reach off into the distance, however as the ship is on its side they do not stand upright. The ship is in incredibly good condition in 42m of water with the top at about 32m; she looks very much like this picture and we often get a good 12-15m of viz. When going forward you go over and under the mast and derricks before getting to the bow, where the bow gun is still on its platform just like in the picture.

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