Site WA 1001 contains the remains of a Consolidated B-24 Liberator bomber. Since its identification as a military aircraft, the site has been designated under the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986. The site, WA 1001, was first discovered by the UKHO (United Kingdom Hydrographic Office) in 1983. It is located 18.7nm SE of St. Catherine’s Point on the Isle of Wight, lying at a depth of 56m. In 2005 Wessex Archaeology surveyed the site using sidescan sonar, magnetometer and multibeam sonar. The results reinforced the UKHO’s conclusion that the site comprised a small, intact wooden vessel. The following year, the site was re-surveyed using a ROV (remotely operated vehicle). The footage of the dive surprisingly showed the remains to be a WWII aircraft. This emphasised the importance of using as many survey techniques as possible in order to correctly identify remains. Visit this Wessex Archaeology website for more information about the geophysical surveys. The site comprises four engines attached to sections of wings, some of the fuselage, and also scraps of fabric and clothing - indicating that some of the crew may still have been on the plane when it crashed. Altering the site in any way may potentially disturb a burial site; a sensitive issue that must be considered. Although no ordnance was observed during the survey, it is possible that some could remain on the site, causing a potential hazard. More information about the site can be found by visiting the Wessex Archaeology pages dedicated to this wreck site, including the site layout, remains and history of the B-24 aircraft. INSERT_MAP