Exercise MINERVA SOVEREIGN was a Joint Services sub-aqua diving expedition to St. Paul Island in the entrance to the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Nova Scotia, Canada, 16 - 30th August 2001. The principal aim was to undertake a nautical archaeological survey of the newly discovered wreck of the sailing ship Clymene. 

15 divers including three members of the Territorial Army (from RMLY, 4 Para and the Royal Gibraltar Regt), camped on this inhospitable island whilst carrying out the survey at depths of up to 40 metres and temperatures of just 1.5ºC. Diving was carried out from two local fishing boats and required the use of technical equipment. Nautical archaeology training formed part of the build up to the expedition. The team mapped the ship's bell, six very large anchors, the windlass, large sections of the ship itself, rigging, metal mast sections and a 1.5 metre long cannon. 

The expedition confirmed that this was the wreck of the Clymene, built in Workington, Cumbria in 1851, sold to Sweden in May 1874, renamed Anna and finally wrecked whilst sailing from Gothenburg to Quebec on 08 Sep 1874; seven of the eighteen crew survived. 

"We mark our passage as a race of men, Earth will not see such ships as those again.." John Masefield

 Maj AJ Reid