Underwater photographer Alex Dawson captured wrecks from the 109-year-old Gallipoli Campaign

One of the world’s most important underwater photographers, Alex Dawson, captured the wrecks left from the 109-year-old Gallipoli Campaign at the ‘Gallipoli Historical Underwater Park’. The war wrecks of Gallipoli, which hold many stories in their depths, carry the distinction of being the first underwater park themed after World War I.

The historical Gallipoli Peninsula, where the Gallipoli Campaign, scene of one of the bloodiest battles in history and the epic of ‘Çanakkale Geçilmez’ engraved in world war history, took place; continues to keep the spirit of Gallipoli alive for thousands of visitors each year with landmarks such as the Martyrs’ Memorial, Seyit Onbaşı Statue, 57th Infantry Regiment Martyrdom, Conk Bay, Gallipoli Epic Promotion Center, Kilitbahir Castle, Bigalı Castle, and Seddülbahir Castle. In the Historical Gallipoli Peninsula, which serves as an open-air museum where traces of the Gallipoli Campaign can be seen at every step, the Gallipoli Historical Area Presidency aims to reach more people with the Gallipoli spirit and the Gallipoli Epic through the projects it has implemented and will implement.

The warships located in the depths of the historical peninsula were opened to diving tourism 3 years ago as the Gallipoli Historical Underwater Park. The war wrecks of Gallipoli, which hold many stories in their depths, carry the distinction of being the first underwater park themed after World War I. Diving enthusiasts will explore the mystery of 14 wrecked ships, including the ‘HMS Majestic’ belonging to the British Royal Navy, sunk off the coast of Seddülbahir Castle 109 years ago. The diving points of the Gallipoli Historical Underwater Park, which allows diving in 21 different diving points and a 150-kilometer area, include ‘HMS Majestic’, ‘Ertuğrul Bay Massena and Saghalien ship remains’, ‘Helles Barges’, ‘Tekke Bay (W Beach) wrecks’, ‘Arıburnu Barges’, ‘Küçükkemikli Barges’, ‘Arıburnu Layter’, ‘Lundy’, ‘HMS Louis’, ‘S.S. Milo’, ‘Tuzla’, ‘Submarine Mania Network’, ‘Bebek Rocks’, and HMS Triumph.

The 109-year-old wrecks in the Gallipoli Historical Underwater Park, which attracts the attention of the whole world with its underwater treasures at the meeting point of the Aegean and Marmara seas, were filmed by Alex Dawson, one of the most important underwater photographers in the world. Before diving, Historical Area President İsmail Kaşdemir made a press statement at the Seddülbahir Mehmetçik Lighthouse with underwater photographer Alex Dawson.

Underwater photographer Alex Dawson said, ‘I am an underwater photographer. In 2024, I was selected as the best underwater photographer in the world. I am filming the wrecks. I am very happy to be in Gallipoli. I was also pleased to see the Historical Area. I have been invited from the Aegean to the Black Sea strait area. To research and film the historical wrecks in these depths. We just did the first dive and it was great. Many important historical events took place in this region. It is very sad to know that many people lost their lives when these wrecks were dived. However, the wrecks are very beautiful, and it is great that you have implemented this project. It is very important that you introduce and share this with all people. You can dive into historical areas like in Gallipoli in very few places in the world. There are many historical wrecked ships from very shallow to very deep. Most of them are really big. Divers from many parts of the world can come and see these beauties and history in the depths of Gallipoli. We will dive into many more in the coming days in this region, but this will not be enough, and I will come back again. I will share the shots I took during the dive on my own social media where I have over 350,000 followers. I will share them in groups where there are many technical divers. I will tell the whole world about the technical diving potential in this region. There are many wrecks that can be seen underwater. Please come here to promote this region and help us.’

Underwater photographer and technical diver Ashley Peterson said, ‘I am a technical diver and a cave diver. I come from Florida. I have been diving in caves and wrecks for a long time. We are at the Gallipoli Historical Underwater Park. This is a very special place. There are wrecks dating back to the Ottoman Empire and World War I. This place is really emotional. Not only are there world war wrecks, but there are also other commercial wrecks we dive into. It is very enjoyable to be here where corals grow and thrive.’

Historical Area President İsmail Kaşdemir said that they had a very important day at the Gallipoli Underwater Park. Kaşdemir, stating that they hosted a very important guest at the Gallipoli Underwater Park, said, ‘The best underwater photographer in the world, Alex Dawson, is our guest in terms of underwater photography. As the Historical Area Presidency, the Gallipoli Underwater Park, which we recently put into operation, is steadily moving towards becoming one of the world’s most important diving centers. We want to attract very important people, competent people, the best people in this regard to Gallipoli, when it comes to diving in the world. We really believed in this project. Because there is a treasure, a history lying underwater in the Gallipoli Underwater Park. There are unparalleled beauties lying underwater in the world. There is no place with so many rich diving points and easily accessible in the world like the 21 different diving points. When it comes to diving, Çanakkale will come to mind. When it comes to underwater, Gallipoli Underwater Park will come to mind. Diving in Çanakkale means not just diving into water but also taking a journey through a time tunnel, within history. Gallipoli Underwater Park, together with historical remnants, natural beauties, and an unspoiled underwater presence, continues to rise to the level it deserves. As the Çanakkale Historical Area Presidency, we will continue to attract the best in the world of underwater community, the best at diving, to Gallipoli Underwater Park in Çanakkale.’

After the speeches, Historical Area President İsmail Kaşdemir presented a certificate of appreciation to underwater photographer Alex Dawson and underwater photographer and technical diver Ashley Peterson for their support to the Gallipoli Underwater Park. Subsequently, Çanakkale War Gallipoli Historical Area President İsmail Kaşdemir also dived with underwater photographer Alex Dawson to the ‘HMS Majestic’ battleship. The ‘HMS Majestic’ battleship was filmed by Alex Dawson, one of the most important underwater photographers in the world.