A team of the Institution of Archaeology, led by underwater archaeologist Adrian Anastasi, has located and identified a vessel called “Albano”, which sank on January 2nd, 1941 at the Durrës Bay.
“Albano” is one of the first WWII vessels drowning in Albania. But tragedy is not the only thing surrounding this vessel. Archaeologist Anastasi says discrepancy on reports about how it sank, also add a veil of mystery.
“It is an important discovery but also surrounded by mystery. Reports state it was split in two by an underwater mine, but the current location does not correspond with the location reported about the mine, and not even the date. I investigated about the people who died during this incident, and I found different versions as regards the cargo that the vessel was carrying. Documents state that the vessel was empty, but other reports say that it was full of explosive materials”, Anastasi says.
The archaeologist says that there is no immediate risk of explosion, if the exploring method is done properly. But a careless approach would be very dangerous.
“Albano” was built in 1918, was 87 meters long and 13 wide. It was seized by the Fascist Regime in Italy and given to be used by the Royal Marine.
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