The
Wreck of the 'Dimitris'
Further
Information
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further information
Cleveland Divers are a local Sub Aqua Diving
club based in Saltburn.
Cleveland Divers have been diving and
surveying the remains of a shipwreck off the
coast of Redcar for several years. The ‘DIMITRIS’ sank
after hitting rocks about half a mile off shore
on the night of on December 14th 1953 at around
9.30 p.m. Thirty-six crewmembers had to be rescued
by Redcar lifeboat and local fishermen. Fortunately
none of the crew was seriously injured.
Two years ago some of the divers decided
that it would be an interesting project to do
an archaeological survey of the wreck. In addition
a study of the history of the wreck and a survey
of the flora and fauna in the vicinity of the
wreck was also to be made. It was also decided
speak to Teesside University’s ‘Virtual
Reality’ department to see if they could
do a ‘virtual reality dive’ through
the wreck.
The club then applied to the LHI (Local
Heritage Initiative) for a grant for the project.
The application for the grant proved successful
and the club now had funds to pay Teesside University’s
Virtual Reality Centre for creating the ‘Dive
Through’. In addition to the money paid
to the University underwater 35mm still and digital
video cameras were purchased.
After hundreds of diving hours, measuring,
photographing, filming, surveying and drawing
Cleveland Divers had enough information and data
to give to Teesside University to complete that
part of the project. It is believed that this
is the first virtual reality tour to be completed
underwater.
Although the virtual reality part of
the project is just about complete other parts
of the project are on going. The club will be
putting on exhibitions and talks to schools.
Museums, libraries and social groups, both locally
and nationally.
Contact Cleveland
Divers via Gary Green on 01429 523455.
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