Update: Marchlyn Mawr German Wreck?

Marchlyn Mawr
Originally uploaded by seansonofbig

Rob the Tog has looked further into the rumoured German plane in Marchlyn Mawr Reservoir on the Elidirs, and offers the following update:

"I’ve gone through the Caernarfon and Denbigh Herald, for the years 1974, 75 and 76. The short summary is that no German aircraft were found in that period. I was working on this statement from RJMP;“My guess is that my mother wrote and told me about the aircraft discovery while I was in Singapore in 1974, but I have no idea when in the year it would have been. I hope that helps a little!"

Hence the reason for starting with 1974, however none of the indirect evidence regarding Dinorwic ties them into that time. If the lake was low/drained in 1974, I can’t link it to Dinorwic. I’ll list all of the information I found below, most of it ties relates to the PowerStation. But if you take note of the dates, you will see why I can’t tie anything to RJMP story. The italics below are my thoughts on the information I found, the date relates to the paper publication date.

1 Feb 1974 – Official confirmation from the treasury authorising the finance necessary for the Dinorwic Hydro scheme. Already into 1974 and nothing has started. I don’t know how this links into RJMP saying construction on access roads had started in ‘73, any construction would have to have been down to Welsh national water as at that time they owned the lake and not related.

22 Feb 1974 – One of the first contracts awarded for the Dinorwic station, awarded to Mowlem, for construction of access and exploratory tunnels, first stage includes access roads and drainage works. Completion of this contract starting this month is scheduled for July 1975 in 18 months time. It might have been this work starting that RJMP is thinking about? I guess it depends on the date he went out the Far East.

10 May 1974 – Work has begun to provide an alternative supply of water to replace Machlyn Mawr, which is to be used as the upper lake in the Dinorwic scheme.

4 July 1975 – Dinorwic starting “tunnel miner training scheme” starting August ’75. It is estimated that tunnelling will be done 24 hour day with three shifts on 10 separate faces. Dinorwic has been contracted to take almost 70% local labour for the construction of the Power Station, they are only starting to gear up for digging now, I can’t see why the lake would be low in ’74 when they are not ready to tunnel for more than a year later.

19 Sept 1975 – “Two lakes change hands” Ffynnon Llugwy to Welsh National water, in return for Machlyn Mawr to Central Electricity Generating Board … the latter will now be enlarged. More against 1974 time line.

3 Oct 1975 – It is rumoured that the contract for construction of the 2000ft dam at Machlyn Mawr has been awarded to Gleeson Company.

28 Nov 1975 – 6 works workers injured in ventilation shaft on Elidir Fawr. Shaft incomplete but first indication of actual tunnelling.

2 April 1976 – “There’s Wrecks in them their Hills” Full page article from Arthur Evans talking about aviation archaeology and the group they have going at the time. I’m getting a copy of this article to double check there is no mention of the aircraft, but this could cause a problem. The only date I’ve found for Machlyn Mawr being drained is March 1976, and then just days/weeks later this article appears, so surely if there was an aircraft in there it would have been mentioned. I only spotted this date tonight, so next time I go back I’ll double check around early ’76 just to make sure.

I’m prepared to go back (probably be next week though) and have another look at maybe a few more years (and I said to double check early ’76). There is the small possibility that I might have missed the story, the early issues of the paper didn’t have a traditional front page, and the stories were buried inside. Although for this to have happened, the story would only have had to have been mentioned in a footnote, as I’m sure I would spot it if it was a main story. Going by the other stories published, I’m sure a German bomber turning up would have caused a stir. There is the possibility that the C&D Herald isn’t the paper that had the report, (I don’t know how to check that) but even if it wasn’t I can’t believe there still wouldn’t mention of the event.

The other thing that bothers me about this is the total lack of any other evidence. Surely on a construction project that size, and with active aviation archaeology group in the area, I just can’t see how something can be in that lake and been lost from memory, someone would have written about it at some point. Surely word would have gone round and hundreds of people would go for a look. The other thing that slightly bothers me, is that the date is relatively close to the date that tail section of the Dak was lifted from Llyn Dulyn (1973 going by the date of “After the battle”), maybe there is a possibility of a mix up or misunderstanding happening?"