wreck

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HMS INSOLENT

The HMS Insolent, a gunboat with a name that always makes us chuckle, lies in Portsmouth Harbour. It’s not a deep dive by any stretch, a mere meter at most, which makes it perfect for a snorkel or a shallow exploration on a calm day. We love that it’s so accessible, right there in the harbour, feeling a bit like a forgotten secret amidst the bustling activity. What you'll find is the skeletal remains of a vessel, surprisingly intact for something that’s been down since 1922 and then relocated. The metalwork is encrusted with barnacles, a rough, textured skin, and we often spot small crabs scuttling amongst the plates. Shoals of tiny fish, sometimes mullet, often hover over the structure, darting away as you approach. It’s not a site for grand coral vistas, obviously, but for a glimpse into history, a peek at the tenacious life adapting to an artificial reef in an urban setting, it's our favourite. You can trace its length, imagining its past life, while above, the modern world goes on.