Southern Sun departed Miri 2nd Sept for Kuching with crew of 3.
Arrived Kuching marina 5th Sept.
Meeting with Dr Charles and Sherman 6th.
Departed Kuching marina first light of the 9th. and investigated a marked wreck to the west of Tanjung Sipang distance 1.4nm water depth 9meters. Sonar images suggested by its shape that this wreck could be the W6. We determined to return to this wreck the next day to fully identify it.
Departed Santubong River anchorage mid morning of the 10th with Dr Charles and Sherman on board.Obtained more sonar images and decided to anchor and investigate by diving. Visibility very poor less that half meter and strong current more than 1 knot.
11th down day for repairs and maintenance.
12th departed Santubong River anchorage with Sherman and local diver Eng on board. Swept wreck with tow-fish sonar as well as hull mounted sonar. Anchored and brought up 2 artifacts to help identify the wreck.
Artifacts appear to be parts of a marine radio of the period 1920/1930. This is consistent with the view that the wreck is the W6.
13th down day for repairs...installed new salt water pump on starboard engine.
14th down day for repairs and maintenance.
!5th departed Santubong River anchorage local diver Eng on board. Obtained more sonar images anchored and dived to recover more artifacts.Severe squall and rising sea brought a close to the days activities.
16th down day for repairs and maintenance.
17th departed Santubong anchorage, obtained further sonar images and overlaid these images onto the electronic charts. This has allowed us to determine in which direction she is lying and gives us a very exact position. After the days work we proceeded directly back to Miri. Arrived back in Miri early on the 20th.
Summery
We are reasonably sure that the wreck we are working on is the Japanese minesweeper W6 but feel that more artifact need to be recovered to further identify this wreck. We are currently making improvements to the vessel and the electronic gear in anticipation to a return to Kuching next year and weather wise the period March - May would be the best time to do it.
Arrived Kuching marina 5th Sept.
Meeting with Dr Charles and Sherman 6th.
Departed Kuching marina first light of the 9th. and investigated a marked wreck to the west of Tanjung Sipang distance 1.4nm water depth 9meters. Sonar images suggested by its shape that this wreck could be the W6. We determined to return to this wreck the next day to fully identify it.
Departed Santubong River anchorage mid morning of the 10th with Dr Charles and Sherman on board.Obtained more sonar images and decided to anchor and investigate by diving. Visibility very poor less that half meter and strong current more than 1 knot.
11th down day for repairs and maintenance.
12th departed Santubong River anchorage with Sherman and local diver Eng on board. Swept wreck with tow-fish sonar as well as hull mounted sonar. Anchored and brought up 2 artifacts to help identify the wreck.
Artifacts appear to be parts of a marine radio of the period 1920/1930. This is consistent with the view that the wreck is the W6.
13th down day for repairs...installed new salt water pump on starboard engine.
14th down day for repairs and maintenance.
!5th departed Santubong River anchorage local diver Eng on board. Obtained more sonar images anchored and dived to recover more artifacts.Severe squall and rising sea brought a close to the days activities.
16th down day for repairs and maintenance.
17th departed Santubong anchorage, obtained further sonar images and overlaid these images onto the electronic charts. This has allowed us to determine in which direction she is lying and gives us a very exact position. After the days work we proceeded directly back to Miri. Arrived back in Miri early on the 20th.
Summery
We are reasonably sure that the wreck we are working on is the Japanese minesweeper W6 but feel that more artifact need to be recovered to further identify this wreck. We are currently making improvements to the vessel and the electronic gear in anticipation to a return to Kuching next year and weather wise the period March - May would be the best time to do it.
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