At 8 pm, Association struck the Outer Gilstone Rock (see image)[3] off the Isles of Scilly, and was wrecked with the loss of her entire crew of about 800 men.

The year before, Graham and other specialists from the Naval Air Command Sub Aqua Club had dived in this area on a first attempt to find the Association.

He recalled some years later: "The weather was so bad, all we achieved was the sight of a blur of seaweed, seals and white water as we were swept through the Gilstone Reef and fortunately out the other side.

"[7][8] On their second attempt in summer 1967, using the minesweeper and supported by the Royal Navy Auxiliary Service, Graham and his men finally managed to locate the remains of Association on the Gilstone Ledge.

[7] The Ministry of Defence initially suppressed news of the discovery for fear of attracting treasure hunters, but word was soon out and excited huge national interest.

In Robert Goddard's novel Name to a Face,[14] a central plot element is the recovery of a ring worn by Admiral Shovell at the time of Association's sinking.