Diver Finds Long-Lost WWII Ship’s Bell After 80 Years

Quick Smiles:

• Dom Robinson discovered a long-lost WWII ship’s bell after 80 years underwater.
• The bell was hidden beneath debris on the HMCS Trentonian shipwreck.
• The bell will be displayed in a Canadian Navy museum.

A remarkable underwater discovery has surfaced after 80 years, bringing a piece of history back to life. Dom Robinson, a seasoned diver with over four decades of experience, unearthed the elusive ship’s bell from the WWII Canadian naval vessel, HMCS Trentonian. The ship had been sunk by a torpedo in 1945, and the bell’s location had remained a mystery ever since.

Robinson, who hails from Portsmouth, England, embarked on this thrilling adventure near Falmouth, Cornwall. He recalls that the bell had taken on a mythical status among divers, as no one had laid eyes on it since the ship was first explored.

“There was a myth that the bell was down there,” Robinson shared, expressing his joy at finally finding it during his third dive in late April.

The shipwreck itself presented challenges, being heavily damaged and obscured by fishing gear. Robinson explained, “The wreck is really broken after 80 years. It’s covered in fishing gear and doesn’t even look like a shipwreck.”

He believes the bell remained hidden due to being buried under debris. When he spotted the rim of the bell, he instinctively knew what it was, sparking a wave of excitement.

“I saw the rim of it and it caught my eye. I put my hand inside and knew instantly what it was—and I got super excited.”

Bringing the bell to the surface was no small feat. Robinson invested several hours to carefully transport it from 69 meters below the sea.

“You have to carry it up,” he mentioned. “It took a couple of hours.”

Once retrieved, the bell was handed over to the Receiver of Wreck, and a Canadian historian assisted in connecting Robinson with the Canadian Navy. On May 12, the bell was presented to the Deputy Naval Attache from the Canadian Embassy in Plymouth, setting the stage for its restoration and eventual display in a Navy museum in Canada.

Robinson, reflecting on the significance of the bell, noted, “If you’re going to pick one part of the ship that is its heart or soul it would be the bell. You can imagine it was quite emotional.”

His discovery not only reignited a historical connection but also marked a personal milestone.

“It’s now my favorite dive—and a highlight of my diving career.”

This extraordinary find is a testament to the enduring allure of the sea’s hidden treasures, and Robinson’s achievement is sure to inspire fellow divers to share in the joy of discovery.

Diver hands over lost bell from HMCS Trentonian to the Canadian Navy – SWNS

Source