Exploring History: First Dive to Victoria Cross Wreck

Frederick Parslow is one of only two merchant marine captains to win the Victoria Cross. His unbelievable bravery saved the SS Anglo-Californian from being sunk by the famous SM U-39, and it's legendary skipper Walther Forstman, on July 1915. Unfortunately this was at the cost of his life and that of 20 of his crew. Frederick is now buried in the cemetry in Cobb (old Queenstown). The Anglo-Californian was later bought by the Cunard company who changed the name to SS Vandalia before it was sunk off Pembroke in June 1918 in 107 metres of water. Fortunately there were no casualties this time. The wreck had almost certainly never been dived before we visited it in 2022. Highlights 00:00 Frederick Parslow Victoria Cross 03:35 An early start to hit slack! 06:10 He deserved the IRON CROSS! 10:38 What no wreck! 23:42 Finding the distance line - PHEW 29:20 The water is alive with aliens 30:35 Idiosyncracies of the boat 32:24 A great team Thanks Thanks to Rick Ayrton, Fran Hockley and Andrew Last for permission to use their photos and video Kit I Use Note, some of these are affiliate links so help support making my videos: Gloves are Ansell Alphatec 87-063 - https://amzn.to/4jDHhX4 Main torch is an Orcatorch D630 - https://amzn.to/4jlT4tA Backup torch is an Orcatorch D710 - https://amzn.to/4jhddRk Drysuit is an O-Three Ri200 - https://www.othree.co.uk/drysuit-rang... CCR is an AP Diving Inspiration (XPD) - https://www.apdiving.com/ Backup computer is a Shearwater Perdix v2 - https://amzn.to/42FXZOW Reels are by Kent Tooling - https://www.divingproducts.co.uk/ Cameras are Paralenz Vaquita Video light is NiteScuba NSV60 - NiteScuba NSV60 - https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_onH... Phone housing is Divevolk Seatouch 4 Max - https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_omJ... Strobes are Prozhaozhu 3000 Lumen Diving Strobe - https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_oBM... Like this video? If you enjoyed this deep wreck diving video then check out my other ones 👉   / @deepwreckdiver   🙏 You also may wish to consider buying me a coffee 👉 https://buymeacoffee.com/d33puk ☕☕☕