logo
Mystery deepens over infamous UK shipwreck that holidaymaker DROWNED trying to explore as probe is suddenly called off

Mystery deepens over infamous UK shipwreck that holidaymaker DROWNED trying to explore as probe is suddenly called off

The Sun29-04-2025

MYSTERY is swirling over an infamous UK shipwreck where a holidaymaker drowned he tried to explore it.
Raymond Mills died on August 17 last year while wading out to see wreckage of the SS Vina, which ran aground off the coast of Norfolk in 1944.
2
2
Mr Mills got into difficulties in the strong currents near the ship and vanished beneath the water.
His granddaughter - who he was with at the time - managed to get back to safety.
But Mr Mills' body was later recovered from the water by a rescue helicopter.
During an inquest into his death earlier this year, his family called for additional safety measures to be made at the National Trust-owned beach.
But the probe has been paused due to an ongoing mystery over the who owns the wreckage.
The SS Vina lies 800 metres off Brancaster Beach in Norfolk and is exposed during low tides.
It was built in 1894 and carried cargo between the east coast and the Baltic for decades.
After being requisitioned by the military and later used as target practice by the RAF, the SS Vina ran ashore in her current resting place on Brancaster Beach.
The vessel has become something of a notorious landmark in an area known as Wreck Sands, which can quickly become cut off by fast-moving tides.
Mr Mills' family told the inquest at Norfolk Coroner's Court earlier this year, the signage about the dangers of the wreck were inadequate.
Watch wreck of 'most advanced ship before Titanic' emerge as it's found 132yrs after sinking with owner's family onboard
Samantha Goward, an area coroner, too agreed that action needed to be taken to avoid a repeat of the tragedy.
She said she would write to the National Trust to establish what signs there were.
However, her investigations have exposed the mystery over who owns the wreck itself and raised questions over what can be done to improve safety.
In her report, Mrs Goward said: 'During the course of the investigation my inquiries revealed matters giving rise to concern.
'In my opinion there is a risk that future deaths could occur unless action is taken.'
The National Trust said it was not responsible for the wreck.
Instead, Ms Goward's investigations indicated the Vina was owned and managed by Trinity House, the organisation responsible for lighthouses and other navigational aids around the coast.
She contacted the organisation, as well as Natural England, which was understood to be responsible for the coastal area on which the wreck lies.
However, it advised that because the wreck was submerged at high tide, a sign would be impractical.
It also said that Trinity House may consider putting a sign on the mast.
But Trinity House then told Ms Goward that it was not the legal owner of the wreck and had previously told the National Trust this.
Upon further enquiry with HM Coastguard, Ms Goward was told the wreck was privately owned when it was requisitioned in the Second World War by the Ministry of Defence, but records do not show who currently owns it.
It was suggested that the Department for Transport may be able to assist with ownership, and the report has been sent to them.
Mrs Goward's report continues: 'I have therefore reached a point where I am unable to establish who may be the owner of this wreck and responsible for considering concerns over the lack of signage warning of risks.
'I am concerned that, in light of the above, there is no safe system in place to ensure that an organisation is responsible for the management and safety of such shipwrecks which are accessible by members of the public.
'With no clear system to ensure that the owners can be identified, there is no system to ensure that concerns can be raised with them when safety concerns arise.
'That that wreckage does not have sufficient warnings at the location to alert members of the public, particularly those who are not familiar with the tidal waters.'
Mr Mills' widow welcomed the report, calling for the wreck's complete removal.
She said: "I wonder how many more people need to lose their life before something is done."
"Ideally the wreck should be removed. It's of no significant historical interest.
"At the very least, clear signage should appear on the wreck and along the various access routes."
Prior to his death, Mr Mills had planned his trip down to the last detail.
However, he got into difficulties in the strong currents near the ship and vanished beneath the water.
His granddaughter, who he was with at the time, managed to get back to safety.
He was then flown to Norwich Airport but was pronounced dead shortly after the aircraft landed.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

National Trust completes Purbeck coastline 'jigsaw'
National Trust completes Purbeck coastline 'jigsaw'

BBC News

time11 hours ago

  • BBC News

National Trust completes Purbeck coastline 'jigsaw'

A narrow strip of land has been acquired by the National Trust, completing its ownership of a stretch of the Dorset trust said the 26.3 ha (65 acres) strip was the "last piece of the jigsaw" of the land it manages between Worth Matravers and Durlston Country Park on the Isle of said it would allow nature restoration and improve access for walkers along its 5.5-mile (9km) stretch of coastline, part of the Jurassic Coast Unesco World Heritage steeply sloping ground is already designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) for the importance of its wildlife-rich grassland. However three fields inland have been more intensively managed and currently have less value for trust said filling the gap would encourage wildlife to spread, including rare wildflowers like early spider orchids and butterflies like the Lulworth skipper and Adonis Brown, lead ecologist for the National Trust, said the chance to acquire the land was a "fantastic, not-to-be-missed opportunity".He said: "These fields are where we can really make a difference. The land will still be farmed, but in a more nature-friendly way. "With appropriate management – like stopping chemical inputs and introducing a conservation grazing regime – we can restore the wildlife that's missing."The trust said it also planned to improve the area for walkers, including widening the South West Coast Path to make it safer. The acquisition was funded through legacies to the trust's coastal campaign, Enterprise Neptune, over the past 60 years. The appeal began after a coastline survey in Purbeck by Reading University in has since raised £114m and led to the protection of 900 miles of coastline in England, Wales and Northern John Whittow, who led the national coastline survey, said: "It was imperative that a pilot survey should take place to acquaint my 30 students, post-grads and staff from Reading University with my newly devised methodology. "What better place than Dorset's Purbeck coast which we 'invaded' in May 1965."The trust said it planned to declare the section of the coast as inalienable, meaning it would be protected forever. You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.

Removal of Middle Beach sea defences given go-ahead
Removal of Middle Beach sea defences given go-ahead

BBC News

timea day ago

  • BBC News

Removal of Middle Beach sea defences given go-ahead

Work to remove sea defences from a Dorset beach is due to begin in September after the scheme to "allow nature to take its course" received planning National Trust is proposing "managed realignment" followed by "no intervention" at Middle Beach, Studland, in response to climate change and coastal said the stone gabions were "collapsing and a risk to the public" and their removal would result in a more natural beach within two Council approved the application after receiving no objections from Natural England, conservation and environment officers and Studland Parish Council. The site, between South Beach and Knoll Beach, is next to a 120-space car and sycamore saplings in a neighbouring area will also be removed as part of wider works to create areas of open sand for invertebrate species, breeding birds and reptiles, according to the Local Democracy Reporting agent, on behalf of the trust, said: "Once the defences are removed, the shoreline will readjust quite rapidly to a natural alignment, in line with the shoreline management plan, and ensuring the beach future."The trust said the works would result in a natural cove and an enhanced wildlife habitat for sand lizards and will also be timed to "minimise the impact on beachgoers, and avoid disturbing sand lizards during the egg-laying period".It said the cafe, toilets and beach would remain open.A beach cafe which operated at the site for more than 70 years was demolished by the National Trust in 2023 due to erosion, with a replacement opened in the car park. You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.

Eisteddfod Chair from WWI refugee stars in Aberystwyth exhibition
Eisteddfod Chair from WWI refugee stars in Aberystwyth exhibition

Cambrian News

timea day ago

  • Cambrian News

Eisteddfod Chair from WWI refugee stars in Aberystwyth exhibition

Andrea Hammel, Professor of German and Director of the Centre for the Movement of People, said: 'This exhibition aims to highlight the long history of displacement caused by war. While last month's commemorations of the end of the Second World War in Europe focused mainly on combatants and local communities, we want to show the experience of those who had to leave their homes. By 1945 there were 60 million displaced people in Europe alone, and Wales provided sanctuary to many.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store