Midi pledges not to damage war wreck

On 17/11/2008
In Parks & Protected Sites
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By Caroline Muscat

The redevelopment of the Manoel Island yacht marina will not damage a World War II wreck, the Midi Consortium has pledged, amid concerns over its vulnerability.

The vessel - an X127 Waterlighter sunk in 1942 - lies fully intact in the waters beneath Lazzaretto Creek.

"The sunken wreck will not be affected by any of the marine works that we are planning in the vicinity of Lazzaretto. No works will be carried out close to the wreck," Midi plc CEO Ben Muscat said.

Over the past year, concerns have been raised over the protection of the X127 Waterlighter, one of 200 designed by Walter Pollock and Son of Faversham in Kent for the Gallipoli campaign in 1915.

During World War II, the X127 was used as a submarine supply barge. It was sunk by enemy fire while still lashed to its moorings beneath the arched colonnades of the Lazzaretto. The sunken wreck remains intact and is a popular diving spot.