Alderney

21/06/2008 by admin.

Sunday 8 June.  My first day’s filming on the Elizabethan wreck doc, but first I’m reviewing the papers on Radio 4’s morning programme Broadcasting House.  The taxi arrives at 7.45 and takes me into the occasional BBC studio in Bath where the papers and cup of tea awaits.  My fellow reviewers are Brian Cox and Nancy Dell’Ollio (Sven’s paramour), and I regret not being in London to meet them - particularly Nancy.  I know the presenter, James Lansdale, and before we go on air we agree that I’ll do the military stories (including a cracking tale of how British soldiers in Afghanistan have uncovered Martini-Henry rifles lost in the defeat at Maiwand in 1880 during the second Anglo-Afghan War!).  I cope with a tricky opening question about Zimbabwe, but am cut off in mid-flow at the end of the show as they’re ending on a pre-recorded item.

Back home for a quick cup of tea, then off to catch a train to Southampton for the flight to Alderney in a tiny 12-seater.  The island, just one mile by four, is bathed in sunshine and very beautiful.  But no chance to enjoy the view because no sooner have I landed than I’m whisked off to the docks to film the first item: A tour of the wreck site with the local lifeboat crew to emphasize the treacherous nature of the sea off Alderney.  Dan, the director, couldn’t make the shoot because his pregnant wife is under observation, so the two co-owners of the production company, Malcolm and Ian Denyer, are filling in for him.  Not ideal, but Ian is hugely experienced, very entertaining and immediately puts me at my ease.  After a final piece to camera with a stunning sunset as the backdrop, we wrap at 8.  After a surprisingly good Indian - during which Colin the cameraman tells a hilarious story about a celebrity chef he worked with - we head for bed.  The crew and production - Malcolm, Ian, Julie (AP), Colin, Andy (sound), Tae (BBC Multimedia producer) and Amanda (ibid, AP) - are staying in a local B&B.  I’m in a surprisingly upmarket hotel on the beach.  One of the few times I, as ‘talent’, have been given preferential treatment!

Monday 9 June.  Up at 7 to film at the local museum where various artifacts from the wreck are on show, including a cannon.  I discuss the wreck on camera with Mensun Bound, the marine archeologist who is in charge of the dive to retrieve more guns and muskets.  He tells me that if the guns underwater are the same size and calibre as the one in the museum then it will prove his theory that this Elizabethan ship was one of the first to house the same uniform, coordinated broadside gun system that enabled British ships to rule the waves for the next 250 years.   In the afternoon we film a couple of ptcs in a German bunker system (of all places!) and wrap at 7.

Tuesday 10 June.  Up at 6 for an early transfer by outboard rib to the Belgian dive ship, MV Fourcault, skippered by a Dutch nightclub owner called Pim.  We’re welcomed on board by Pim’s glamorous girlfriend, Angel (she used to run one of his nightclubs), and shown to our spartan quaters in the bowels of the ship.  Fortunately the rest of the ship is extremely well-appointed with flat screen TVs and a huge open-plan saloon.

Breakfast is cut short for the first dive.  Because of the strength of the currents there are only two short windows a day for diving, and they can’t miss this one.  We film them going down and await their return with bated breath.  The come back empty handed, but with the excellent news that they’ve identified six cannon.  The plan is to bring at least two to the surface.

The afternoon dive brings us our first ‘find’: an Elizabethan breastplate, covered in concretion but identifiable none the less.  V exciting.  It’s put in a tank of water to prevent it drying out.

Wednesday 11 June.  A light swell so I take a couple of seasick tablets which seem to do the trick.  The task today is to raise a musket which the three British divers spotted last year.  The story line for the programme is that I, as a military historian, am particularly interested in the military cargo that this ship was carrying, including the muskets.  The first dive is inconclusive.  The boys think they’ve identified the musket but can’t be sure.  They plan to bring it up in the afternoon dive and don’t disappoint.  Again it’s obvious what it’s a musket, despite the concretion, and after I’m filmed discussing the find with Mensun, we add the musket to the breastplate in the tank.  A good day, but the real prize is getting up at least one of the ship’s guns, each weighing more than a ton!

Thursday 12 June.  In the morning the Belgian divers prepare the first gun for the lift by securing straps to it.  Word has spread and by the afternoon dive the local press and dignataries are on the boat to witness the great event.  They aren’t disappointed.  After an incredibly tense twenty minutes, the ship’s crane hauls the gun above the water and on to the deck where Mensun and I are waiting to receive it.  As well as the inevitable concretion it’s covered in smaller artifacts, including a grenade, part of a helmet and what looks like a musket barrel.  Mensun is understandably delighted and declares it to be the same size and calibre as the one in the museum.  We toast the success with beers, and the divers and some of the crew repair onshore to the aptly named Divers Arms to continue the celebrations into the early hours.  I should have been warned.

Friday 13th June.  Despite the inauspicious date, another successful day with the raising of the second cannon, though it’s a close run thing and, having filmed it safely on deck, we swiftly depart for the airport and our 4pm flight back to Southampton, leaving behind the sticks (camera legs), a camera battery and Ian’s jacket and phone!  I arrive home at 8pm.  A great week’s filming, and all recorded by the BBC Multimedia team who are uploading their daily posts on the Timewatch website.

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