Lying in 73 metres of clear Mediterranean water is the wreckage of an Italian E-boat, or motor torpedo boat, S31. Launched and commissioned in 1939 her light metal hull was originally covered in mahogany. This three propellered vessel was capable of travelling at 38 knots, powered by three Daimler Benz engines producing 4,800 BHP.
In May 1942 the German Luftwaffe had intelligence that the minelayer HMS Welshman was going to arrive in Valletta harbour. S31, working in a team of seven MTBs, went to lay mines with S34 and S61 should she approach from the north west. During this operation S31 exploded a mine that she had probably just laid. 13 survivors were saved by S61, but another 13 died.
Filmed in 2003, footage of the wreck shows the two 533mm torpedo tubes open, the torpedoes are clear to view and the pedestal for the two 20mm guns still standing upright. S31 is badly damaged amidships and the bow points to port at about a 30 degree angle. The port torpedo tube is in place but the stbd tube is partially detached with the front resting on the seabed.
Among the artefacts still onboard S31 is a depth charge and torpedoes. Dinner plates and binoculars once used by the crew can still be seen.
The black and white images are shown with many thanks to http://www.prinzeugen.com
S-boats arriving in England (Gosport) after the surrender. (MoD photo, courtesy of Kyrre Ingebrethsen, Norway)
