"H.M.S. Perseus" World War II Submarine
Description
The 2040 ton wreck of "H.M.S. Perseus" submarine is still totally intact lying almost perfectly upright in open water between Kefalonia and Zakynthos on a flatbed of sand. The sea bed is at a depth of 52 metres but the top of the wreck is at 34 metres. The majority of the dive is at 40 metres exploring the deck, conning tower and open hatches of the wreck.
The wreck has now become an artificial reef, with many species of fish making it their home, including Groupers, Sea Bass, Amberjacks, Barracuda, Parrotfish and Wrasse to name but a few. In fact the marine life on the wreck is unique, and the dive site is currently rated the top wreck dive in Kefalonia. The Perseus Wreck dive is an absolute must for all serious divers visiting Kefalonia.
The wreck has now become an artificial reef, with many species of fish making it their home, including Groupers, Sea Bass, Amberjacks, Barracuda, Parrotfish and Wrasse to name but a few. In fact the marine life on the wreck is unique, and the dive site is currently rated the top wreck dive in Kefalonia. The Perseus Wreck dive is an absolute must for all serious divers visiting Kefalonia.
On the night of the 6th of December, 1941, H.M.S. PERSEUS was patrolling the surface between Kefalonia and Zakynthos. Suddenly at 22.00 hours there was a tremendous explosion. The submarine had hit an Italian mine.
From the crack that we can now see οn the port fore side and the opened hatch of the conning tower, tons of water would of quickly surged into the vessel. Seconds later the submarine nose-dived with sixty men aboard and came to rest on the sea bed at a depth of 52 metres.
From the crack that we can now see οn the port fore side and the opened hatch of the conning tower, tons of water would of quickly surged into the vessel. Seconds later the submarine nose-dived with sixty men aboard and came to rest on the sea bed at a depth of 52 metres.
Stoker, John Capes was resting in the front compartment, going through some letters, drinking rum. When H.M.S PERSEUS began to sink, the compartment did not flood.
Although injured, Capes searched for other survivors and found three badly injured stokers alive in the debris. Capes found the Davis Submerged Escape Apparatus and helped the wounded men to put them on. Then he lowered a collapsible canvas escape trunk and secured it to the deck. He had to find a way to open the hatch of the aft compartment which could only be done by balancing the pressure in the compartment with that of the sea.
Although injured, Capes searched for other survivors and found three badly injured stokers alive in the debris. Capes found the Davis Submerged Escape Apparatus and helped the wounded men to put them on. Then he lowered a collapsible canvas escape trunk and secured it to the deck. He had to find a way to open the hatch of the aft compartment which could only be done by balancing the pressure in the compartment with that of the sea.
He then found the valve that floods the compartment but the spindle was twisted and destroyed, so he flooded it using an underwater gun, which is used for sending smoke signals to the surface.
Once the compartment was flooded he and his shipmates ducked under the water, came up inside the trunk and swam out to sea through the escape hatch. Then followed a long ascent from 52 meters. He surfaced and started looking around in the darkness for his companions. No one else had survived.
Once the compartment was flooded he and his shipmates ducked under the water, came up inside the trunk and swam out to sea through the escape hatch. Then followed a long ascent from 52 meters. He surfaced and started looking around in the darkness for his companions. No one else had survived.
Capes started swimming towards the closest island. After a many hours in the cold sea he reached a beach on Kefalonia and exhausted collaspsed into unconsciousness.
The next day, he was found still lying there by two fishermen from the village of Mavrata. The Residents of Kefalonia took care of his wounds and hid from the occupying Axis forces for 18 months constantly moving him from house to house in the villages of Mavrata, Hionata, Faraklata, Razata, Kourouklata, Minies, Keramies, Simotata, Metaxata, Argostoli finally ending up in Agia Irini village at Nikos Vandoros's house. There he also met Mr. Evagelatos and Captain Houmas who helped him escape by boat to Izmir in Turkey on 31st of May 1943.
The next day, he was found still lying there by two fishermen from the village of Mavrata. The Residents of Kefalonia took care of his wounds and hid from the occupying Axis forces for 18 months constantly moving him from house to house in the villages of Mavrata, Hionata, Faraklata, Razata, Kourouklata, Minies, Keramies, Simotata, Metaxata, Argostoli finally ending up in Agia Irini village at Nikos Vandoros's house. There he also met Mr. Evagelatos and Captain Houmas who helped him escape by boat to Izmir in Turkey on 31st of May 1943.
