Ned Middleton describes how he and a team of Divers from Diving World discovered a wreck in the Egyptian Red Sea.
The trip was now scheduled for three weeks – commencing 18 December. Sounded good to me and I promptly ordered more film. Then he telephoned again. Firstly, he asked me if I knew anything about the Rosalie Moller – I did not (though I did know who to ask!), then he asked for my views on the conservation of shipwrecks – and I made them clear.
I know for a fact that my views are not shared by all Divers – but allow me to explain by using a hypothetical example: Shipwreck (A) is a steel cargo ship sitting upright, virtually undamaged on an even keel – in, say 30m. Generally speaking she is complete and intact with all portholes in place. On the Bridge we find the Bell, Telegraphs and Compass and this the Diver to pause and visualise what it might have been like when the vessel was underway. Then there is Shipwreck (B).
Structurally, very similar in size, attitude and condition – except that all the brass fittings have gone. Now, I know which I would rather photograph – but which would you rather dive? My attitude is best summarised, therefore, as "Take only Pictures – Leave only Bubbles" – and do so on behalf of fellow Divers.
That, however, was exactly what Yassin wanted to hear and he then asked me if I would be willing to appear on Nile Television and meet with certain Government Officials. When I agreed, he said that this would take up the bulk of the third week. Back at the drawing board, however, I could find nothing whatsoever on the Rosalie Moller until the National Maritime Museum sent me a fax of an old photograph of her sister ship – the Hubert built in 1910 and pages from two separate books showing "Rosalie Moller – raised after war and broken up!"
Now, as the days progressed – and please don't ask me how, I gained the impression that the Staff of Diving World in Hurghada had actually found a "new" wreck but when I arrived it was the other way around – they thought I knew where it was. Suddenly the trip began to take a different shape as, within moments of arriving we began to discuss the prospect of a search.
Certainly the idea had merit – but let's be realistic. Between us we had virtually no information, a faxed copy of an old photograph – and even that was of another ship, and a general area so vague it equated to a search area "south of Plymouth" and on top of that the Rosalie Moller was scrapped over 50 years ago. On the positive side, however, we did have our combined experience and passion for Diving and one or two clues.
