Daisy Dog.

 

                                                                        

                                                                       DAISY DOG 

Im not usually one to put my inner most feelings on the internet- but-We wake up to an emptier house today. This tiniest cutest little doggie came into our lives in 2010 and died yesterday. We are utterly broken hearted. Daisy wasn't just a dog, she was our child. My wife couldnt have children and so Daisy has, for fourteen years, partly filled that void. We called her Daisy because she was so small. She was a divers dog. She loved being on the boat. Even though as a puppy she fell into the sea and had to be rescued, and from that moment on she hated anything falling off the boat like us divers, or the anchor, a shot line, or us just going for a swim, anything. She knew the sea was a dangerous place and let you know it!

 She has been on the boat over every wreck we have found or dived since 2010.  She knew every inch of Scilly as she was so small she could get into every little nook and cranny on every Island here-even the small ones like Rosevear Crebewethan etc etc. She was never any trouble to us. Didnt bark much; never begged or harassed anyone for food or treats. She always sat patently knowing we wouldn't forget her. She was very loving. She never really licked you, she preferred to gently touch the tip of your nose with her tongue, which was a kiss, but we soon learned it was a signal to gently go forehead to forehead with her -and when you did she gave out a little loving whimpery type squeak every time- and it was always you that ended each loving contact, not her -which was so very sweet.  

She didnt need a lead- as she faithfully followed us about like a shadow never leaving our heals.  You couldnt wish for a cuter tinier more faithful loving little companion and we thank god for bringing her into our lives. Goodbye and God bless little Daisy Dog. You will be so very missed by us both. We love you so very much. Thank you for being so cute and loving. It was just what we both needed in our lives. You filled our home and made it a home too.  Wish we could have had just one more group hug.

                                                     Rest in peace now Daisy. 2010 -2014.

Scilly Wrecks on film.

I got a gopro for my birthday last year and have been having a go at making short shipwreck videos.  Heres a few of numerous on my youtube channel-  Shipwreck Princess Maria (youtube.com)

  

                                                         Merchant Royal  (Part 2.) 

In 2022 I was asked by team leader Nigel Hodge to join the latest team to look for the wreck of the Merchant Royal. Looking for this wreck has always been top of the list around here so, naturally, I accepted. Time I have; the wherewithall I also feel I have- (after finding 18 new sites of my own on a small budget so far) - but with this wreck its always been about the finances that stops any search from going ahead. And even if you do get the backing the weather is the next obstacle- so for a loner like me the Merchant Royal has really only ever been a pipe dream. In 2023 Nigel and one of his investors came to my home in Scilly for a meeting. Subsequently, as I write, other investors are gathering and meetings are being held with Nigel to get his project fully off the ground. I can only hope they will be successful. My skill set will be shipwreck historian/researcher and wreck material identification. I also have good experience in interpreting sonar data and shipwreck artefact identification and dating. I also own the biggest digitised database of shipwrecks in over a 100 mile radius of this area that has ever been assembled and it grows daily- it could prove a very useful tool in a search such as this- as we should encounter many targets out there.

There were two big factors that I feel certain Oddessy Marine missed in their search for this wreck. Two facts that also played a part in wrecking 4 British Warships here in 1707 among many, many, others before them. I prefer to keep these two factors off facebook and between myself and the team at present but these things place Odessey's search a minimum of 15 miles out. I have plotted all my findings onto a chart and came up with a viable target area and how I would go about the search. Maybe it will be used by the team, maybe it wont, but the insightful input can not be ignored. This is not an easy wreck to find. It is a small target in a very large area of sea. Chances to get out there each year are few and far between - but with a team like the one Nigel has assembled- there is a chance of finding her. I'm looking forward to the day when we set sail from Scilly to help Nigel look for the Merchant Royal. Someones gotta do it!

Heres a link to the project: https://www.facebook.com/nigel.hodge.54/videos/957957382197786