Brighton-based diveboat skipper Tim Bennetto took a trip to Ostende with the Receiver of Wreck (RoW) to return a bell that he had recovered while diving the wreck of SS Prince Leopold; and received a warm welcome from the people of Ostende.

Bennetto, who runs Spartacat from Brighton marina, had found and recovered the bell many years ago, and declared the find as part of the recent wreck amnesty, pointing out the historical significance of the find and asking the RoW find a suitable museum for it.

"I found the bell when I dived the wreck back in 1981. It was an incredible dive and the wreck was intact with loads of ammunition lying around. It's still a popular dive, but I suspect there's rather less to find on it now!" Bennetto told Divernet.

"I would definitely recommend that divers report their finds to the RoW, it's the only way that you can legally own what you find. If you do find something that is historically significant, it's great that it can go to a museum where other people can enjoy it as well. I also did research to try and trace any survivors from the wreck, because these ships mean a lot to some people."

The RoW contacted the authorities in Ostende and was met with an enthusiastic response from the Belgians and an invitation to come over and make a formal presentation to the Mayor of Ostende and the Captain of the Port. The bell has now been placed in the De Plate museum, Ostende. The event was widely covered in the Belgian press and on TV.

SS Prince Leopold was commissioned by the Belgian Government in 1928 and worked the cross-Channel route between Ostende and Dover. In WW2, the ship was converted to an infantry landing ship and sank off the Isle of Wight in 1944 after being torpedoed by German uboat U-621.

The almost 3,000 ton steamer lies in 30m and is a popular wreck dive.


Relevant links
100 best UK wreck dives - SS Prince Leopold is at no 84
Spartacat website
Receiver of Wreck pages on the Coastguard website
Download a form to report your wreck finds here

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