Rare Underwater Photos of the Ghostly Wrecks of War Machines, Helicopters, Tanks, and More
Captured in ten award-winning photos are the eerie beauty of some of the most fascinating underwater shipwrecks on Earth.
From submerged tanks and airplanes to war machines with turbulent fates sunk during World War II, the 2024 Underwater Photographer of the Year showcases the most courageous diving photographers.
Like something out of a science fiction film, Alvaro Herrero’s photo taken inside an underwater plane is extraordinary. To showcase the massive fuselage of the sunken Lockheed TriStar L-1011 in the Red Sea off Jordan, he used a special cave diving photography technique to illuminate the aisle of the aircraft.
“This is one of the most enjoyable wreck photos I’ve taken,” Herrero said. He was awarded the “Highly Commended” prize for his outstanding work.
The Lockheed TriStar L-1011 sank in 2019, subsequently becoming an artificial reef located at depths ranging from 50 to 90 feet below the ocean’s surface.
Thanks to the efforts of German photographer Christian Horras, we get a glimpse of the exterior of the same Lockheed TriStar L-1011. He also received the title of “Highly Commended.”
Speaking about his photo “Taking Off,” Mr. Horras said, “This was not your average wreck dive because you don’t often see a whole plane underwater!”
“I chose to shoot the exterior of the plane. I placed a strong light on a small tripod at the jet engine to create the effect of an aircraft powerplant. The sun was illuminating the wreckage at a right angle, so its light wouldn’t dull my ‘engine.'”
In the same location in the Red Sea, Alvaro Herrero faced one of the biggest challenges of his diving photography career when he had only 20 minutes to capture a submerged attack helicopter, the Bell AH-1F Cobra, before entering a decompression state. Through the adventurous efforts of him and his team, the resulting photo “Bell AH-1F Cobra Eyes” was awarded a “Commended” title.
Chairman of the judging panel, Alex Mustard, praised the photo, stating, “It’s a captivating subject, and the photographer shows masterful shooting and lighting techniques. All of this was accomplished within a tight deadline, truly impressive.”
The SS Thistlegorm is one of the most legendary shipwrecks on Earth. This British cargo ship was sunk by German bombers during World War II in the Red Sea off Egypt.
Swedish photographer Alex Dawson received the “Highly Commended” award for his unforgettable photos from inside the wreck of the SS Thistlegorm, marveling at the ship’s preservation.
“The trucks are in good condition,” he said, “they have been soaking in high salinity water for over 80 years. Behind them, there is a line of motorcycles.”
Photographer Fabi Fregonesi, while exploring diving spots around his home country of Brazil, discovered an astounding school of fish. The massive school seemed to be “dancing” on the wreckage of a tugboat named “Virgo,” instantly forming the shape of a sail. This photo secured the third place in the prestigious competition.
“At that moment, I felt like the ship was ready to set sail, embarking on its journey towards unknown adventures. I quickly visualized the image I wanted, adjusted my position, and captured the moment,” Fregonesi said. Seconds later, the school of fish vanished.
“Wreck photos are beautiful and mysterious, often making me feel nostalgic,” he added.
Mr. Mustard praised the photo, saying, “A school of fish dancing above a shipwreck, instantly forming a perfect long sail shape as if preparing to provide propulsion for the wreck on the seabed. In great photography, timing is everything.”
In the United States, Becky Kagan Schott received the runner-up position for her ghostly photo “Illuminating the Past,” depicting the sunken ship Kyle Spangler in Lake Huron. After six years of attempts, she finally captured the 1860 sunken wooden schooner under dark lighting.
Judge Peter Rowlands commented on the winning work, “Congratulations on persisting to seize this opportunity. The well-executed location and static lighting play a crucial role in creating visual proportions and image depth. It’s a remarkable achievement.”
Mrs. Schott also captured a mysterious portrait of the S.S. Norman in her photo “Breaking Point” in the Great Lakes region.
In 1895, this large freighter sunk after a collision in Lake Huron, breaking into two halves due to the immense impact it endured.
According to the Sandbanks National Marine Conservation Area, the 300-foot-long Norman and its three crew members disappeared beneath the waves of the cold, dark lake in just three minutes, now resting at a depth of 210 feet.
“In this photo, the technical diver illuminated the massive crack that traverses the entire ship as they swam past the hull,” Schott, who received a “Highly Commended” award, said.
Photographer Kieran Hatton was awarded a “Commended” title, attributing the legendary visibility of the waters near Donegal, Ireland, as one of his success factors.
HMS Audacious, a victim of the First World War mines, sank 196 feet below the surface. In his award-winning shot, Hatton captured the stunning sight of the two powerful guns of the British battleship, HMS Audacious.
“This is a very powerful subject, with the photo effectively capturing symmetry and utilizing onboard and external lighting balance,” praised Mr. Rowlands.
British photographer Guilhem Duprat ventured to the majestic Norwegian fjords to capture a precious photo of the WWII wreck, Parat. This rescue ship sunk in 1944 after being shot down by Allied aircraft. In the cold depths of the Klaeffjord, 196 feet below, Duprat’s photo showcases the beauty of marine life attached to the ship, creating a rainbow against the rusted hull and the clear blue-green waters of the fjords.
“On the right side of the photo, you can see rocks; they are the original rocks, and the seabed is entirely sandy. Nevertheless, the wreck has become an oasis for these marvelous white anemones and orange worms, contrasting with the rusty ship’s shades of brown-red and the fjord’s crystal clear blue-green, creating a spectacular view,” Duprat said.
This photo was awarded a “Commended” title, with Mr. Mustard praising the photographer’s creative vision, saying, “Wreck photographers are often enchanted by the man-made structures they encounter, sometimes overlooking the beautiful life that wrecks support. This photo perfectly tells the whole story.”
The overall champion of the annual competition was American photographer Martin Broen, who captured a striking photo of a pair of sunken tanks. This photo was taken at the Jordan Underwater Military Museum near Aqaba on the Red Sea coast, showcasing the symmetric shot of the Chieftain tank and the looming barrel of a cannon, with Broen’s diving partner’s silhouette in the background.
“I was fortunate to join an amazing group of photographers invited to participate in the first Aqaba Underwater Photo Competition held in Jordan, and one highlight was the Underwater Military Museum,” Mr. Broen said. “We saw unusual sights of war machines.”
The diving sites at Aqaba feature a series of intriguing war machines, including helicopters, armored ambulances, and Willy jeeps, sunken into the water in tactical battle formations along coral reef lines.
“In the current turbulent times, seeing war machines being repurposed for peace is uplifting,” commented Mr. Rowlands.
The article “Rare Underwater Photos of the Ghostly Wrecks of War Machines, Helicopters, Tanks, and More” was originally published on the English edition of The Epoch Times website.