Aldwick Beetle Wreck

3D Model

This is the wreck of a Mulberry beetle from WW2. It was one of many constructed from pre-cast concrete to act as floats for the Mulberry Bridge Sections that ran from the pierheads to the shore. This particular example is likely to have been constructed at Marchwood or at a facility on the Beaulieu River. The roadway sections with concrete beetle floats were assembeld into ‘Whale Tows’ consisting of six Bridge sections attached to Beetles before being towed to a storage area at Selsey. several were lost during the tow and this example is likey to have drifted to Aldwick beach at the eastern end of the storage area where it has remained. It is the only example we know of that is accessable. Better examples exist in Scotland and Southampton Water, but they are not publicly assessable.