A British diver purchased a World War I shipwreck for £300 after spotting it on Facebook Marketplace. Dom Robinson, a project manager from Plymouth, discovered the listing for the SS Almond Branch, a 3,300-ton, 330-foot-long cargo ship that sank off the coast of Cornwall during World War I. According to BBC News, Robinson bought the wreck from someone who had previously purchased the scrap from the British government in the 1970s.
In an interview with BBC Radio Cornwall, Robinson revealed that the previous owner had hoped to find valuable items but only found "a large pile of rusty iron." Robinson, an amateur diver, was eager to acquire the shipwreck due to his passion for sea exploration and shipwrecks.
"It feels a bit different when you're diving a wreck, and you know that you have a sense of ownership of it," Robinson said. He added, "If someone finds the bell, they must report it to the Receiver of Wreck, who will ask me if I want to keep it or not."
The SS Almond Branch was an armed British merchant ship launched in 1896. It was reportedly sunk by a German submarine's torpedo on November 27, 1917, near Dodman Point in South Cornwall. The ship has remained submerged beneath the Atlantic Ocean since then.
Robinson has previously visited the wreck site, which only fueled his interest in exploring it further. He has no intention of reselling the vessel. Although there is nothing of monetary value to be gained from the wreck, Robinson hopes to find the ship's bell.
"I just went along and kind of kicked the tyres, and I sucked my teeth, and I knew what it was," he said, sharing his excitement about the unique deal. Robinson was stunned when he saw the SS Almond Branch being advertised on Facebook Marketplace, where the platform often features unique and unexpected items ranging from antique lamps to burned used cars.
"Plymouth Sound is literally littered with wrecks... and there will be more to be found," said Professor Michael Williams, a specialist in underwater heritage. He noted that there are "tens of thousands" of shipwrecks in Devon and Cornwall, with thousands more located in the waters around the United Kingdom.
However, owning a shipwreck comes with responsibilities. "The person that owns it becomes responsible in those circumstances for the damage that could be caused as a result of it," cautioned Professor Jason Lowther, who specializes in environmental law and underwater cultural heritage law. He added, "Ultimately, the owner becomes liable for any damage. It doesn't even necessarily depend on their negligence or if someone else might've caused that problem; they're the owner of it."
Robinson acknowledged these responsibilities and stated that his purchase was 100% approved by the government's Receiver of Wreck, which is responsible for managing shipwreck ownership. In the United Kingdom, private individuals can buy shipwrecks, but the Receiver of Wreck has no involvement in the sale and will only record ownership to facilitate contact if items are recovered. All finds from wrecks must be reported to the Receiver of Wreck within 28 days.
"What you have to bear in mind is there's multiple owners of a ship and shipwreck. There's the owner of the hull, the owner of the cargo. So what exactly have you bought? Have you bought the hull, the hull and the cargo or cargoes? A wreck is a collective term for a number of different interests," explained Professor Williams.
Despite potential challenges, Robinson is eager to explore his new acquisition. As a diving enthusiast and shipwreck researcher who knows the history of the SS Almond Branch "inside out," he has discovered 20 to 25 shipwrecks. He shares the stories of his findings on YouTube, where he has over 9,000 followers.
Robinson's passion for sea exploration remains undeterred. With plans to dive the wreck in the coming months, he is excited about the prospect of further uncovering its history. "And if they find the bell, then obviously, don't touch it. It's mine," he said.
The article was written with the assistance of a news analysis system.