HMS Brazen

British Navy Destroyer 'B'-class destroyer built in 1928 by Palmer & Co; and entered service in 1931. Brazen measured 323ft x 32ft with a 34,000 hp steam turbines giving a top speed of 35 knots; she was armed with four 4.7" and 2 anti-aircraft guns, eight 21" torpedo tubes and depth chargers. The destroyer Brazen was escorting convoy CW7 in the North Sea when she was attacked by German bombers on July 21st, 1940 as they traveled through the straits of Dover. She shot down three aircraft before she was hit and badly damaged. An attempt was made to tow her but this proved impossible and she was abandoned and sank some hours after the attack. The Brazen was commanded by Lt. Cdr. Sir Michael Culme-Seymour and carried a complement of 138, of whom one stoker petty-officer died of wounds (after he was taken off the ship) and four stokers were wounded. Diving: Until a few years ago she was standing 8m proud and reasonably intact but in two halves, about 100m apart, the seabed is sand and gravel. Recently she has become buried in the sand and less of the wreck can be seen, however, torpedo tubes, depth chargers and the guns are still present and together with the excellent visibility it's still worth a visit. From Dover HMS Brazen is also known as H80.