At a recent Voxometer demo in the Netherlands with local distributor, Navigation Solutions Europe BV (NavSol), the team encountered the 19th century MS Adder wreck at a water depth of 20m.
The MS Adder was a 60m Dutch Royal Navy Ram Monitor vessel, that sunk off the coast of Scheveningen in the North Sea, in July of 1882. Sadly all 66 people on board lost their lives on this day.
This vessel was not the most reliable ship with many technical and mechanical shortcomings, and not designed to sail on the high seas. It became unsteerable and sank when adverse weather hit.
The survey as done with the Voxometer XL, at 950kHz in enhanced quad mode in combination with 1MHz single frequency.
This particular data image to the left, is from a single pass in enhanced quad mode. It’s impressive to note the quality of data that can be achieved by the Voxometer in just a single pass, due to the fact that you have 4 simultaneous and high resolution frequencies up to 1MHz:
- You can see that the wreck lies bottom up and some of the wooden frames are clearly visible
- The large square structure in the centre is most likely the boiler of this steam ship
- Also visible are propeller shafts and propellers on the north side. Remarkable to see that the post side propellor has fallen off whereas the starboard propellor is still attached.
The event has had a significant impact on the organization of the Coast Guard as it is today. There is also a monument in Scheveningen in remembrance of this accident showcasing its national importance