University company snaps hologram of sunken ship

A GROUNDBREAKING 3D hologram of the first battleship sunk in the Second World War has been produced by an Edinburgh University-based company.

Using sonar images of the wreck, the hologram depicts HMS Royal Oak in its current state on the seabed in Scapa Flow, Orkney, including details of the areas where four torpedoes struck.

Experts behind the project believe it is the first hologram based on sonar-scan information.

It is now expected to go on public display at museums around Scotland, as well as at trade shows.

The hologram was produced by Holoxica.

Founder and managing director Javid Khan said: “We are pleased with the result, which is a unique way to visualise a significant piece of naval warfare history.”

The Royal Oak, a revenge-class battleship, was torpedoed by a German submarine in October 1939, and lost 833 of its crew.