Diving Shipwrecks with
Skin Deep
For deeper technical and advanced diving see our list
of deep wrecks click here
Local
wrecks to Weymouth and Portland
As our regualr divers know this
is just a small portion of what local wrecks we
offer our charter service to. Contact us for more
information. |
The area of the coast of Weymouth and Portland is a haven
for shipwrecks locally we have scores to choose from. You
can dive warships, submarines old sailing ships and well
basically anything you want. Some wrecks are not too far
offshore and we can normally dive whatever the weather as
we have some sheltered locations. Here is a small selection
to whet your appetite. If you wish to know more about what
to dive other than the wrecks listed below please contact
us and we will be only to glad to help. |
UB 74
This submarine has had a lot of attention from the salvage men.
The Conning tower has been removed and her stern has been reduced
to nothing. For those with knowledge of U boats however she makes
a fascinating rummage dive. She has really thrown up some surprises
and if you fancy diving this one there is a tale or two to tell.
Max depth 36M
..... see picture
Buccaneer
This well-known Portland tug was sunk in a variation of the now
famous friendly fire!! She was towing a target, the firing vessel
obviously got mixed up and much embarrassment ensued as the Navy
sank one of it’s own. This was a true Dennis Norden style
cock up but has given us another great dive. Lying on her side it’s
easy too get around in one dive, she has started to fall apart over
the last few years but there is much to see and for a tug she had
some very high quality fittings.
Max depth 45
..... see picture
Pomeranian
After being torpedoed this large ship sank so quickly that there
was only one survivor out of a crew of 56 he was able to jump overboard
and then hang on to the ships rigging which was sticking out of
the water after she had settled on the bottom. The wreck although
upright lies in a peculiar fashion, with the large and relatively
intact bow at an angle to the rest. There are all sorts of stories
about this wreck having standard diving equipment onboard. Who knows
perhaps a diver will get lucky but there is an awful lot of ship
and cargo to sort through. Max depth 36M
..... see picture
Salsette
Imagine coming across this for the first time. A P&O liner on
it’s portside a wonderful dive. At 34M you arrive on the starboard
rail looking across the steeply sloping decks she makes a fantastic
sight. The hull is largely intact and there are some great swim
throughs for the experienced diver, however it is very easy to forget
just how deep this wreck is and the unwary can soon find themselves
in deepwater looking up at what then becomes an intimidating site
6000 tons of steel leaning over you at a crazy angle. Max depth
48M
..... see picture
Aeolian sky
The Sky as she is known locally is a very large wreck and although
the subject of much salvage work is still very recognisable. Lying
on her port side the stern and rear accommodation area are relatively
intact and stand some 12M. There is much evidence of her cargo within
the wreck and strewn across the seabed. This is a great dive especially
for those new to wreck diving but strong tides and variable visibility
make local knowledge essential for a good dive.
Max depth 30M
..... see x2 pictures
Binnendijk
The Benny as she is known locally literally went down in a blaze
of glory. After striking a mine she caught fire and was alight from
stem to stern. The wreck is well broken after salvage operations
but is still substantial and is often diveable when most other sites
are blown out, due to her location in the relative lea of Portland
and inside the shambles bank. Part of her cargo was tyres and copper
wire, which are much in evidence and her remains make a good rummage
dive, which can often be topped off with a nice lobster if so desired.
Max depth 27M
M2
The M2 is classified as a war grave due to the fact that she sank
as the result of an accident in 1932 killing all the crew. This
submarine was unique in that she carried a small aircraft in a hanger
built on to the conning tower and it is thought that whilst practising
emergency diving the hangar door was not properly closed, quickly
flooding the ship and sending her to the bottom. She is an amazing
dive virtually intact apart from the crane for aircraft recovery
having been trawled off a few years ago and some clandestine salvage,
which saw the removal of her propellers. Max depth 36M
..... see picture
St Dunstan
In times of poor vis this wreck can be the rabbit out of the hat
and save the day. For some reason the clarity of the water here
often remains when everywhere else is poor and even though her
description as a dredger drums up thoughts of boring most divers
are pleasantly surprised. Although well broken there is much machinery
to see and an abundance of life gives the wreck a bright and airy
feel, there are also many scallops around the wreck so something
for everyone.
Max depth 30M
Sidon
This submarine originally sank in Portland harbour due to an explosion
and subsequent fire, which killed some of the crew. She was salvaged
and sunk in her present position as a Sonar target and makes an
excellent dive. The Sidon is upright and although in tact there
are many holes in her casing, which have attracted much fish life.
One of my memories of this wreck was being on the conning tower
and looking up to see the dive boat 25M above me a truly stunning
sight for our waters. Max depth 36M
..... see picture
Martha
The Martha for some reason doesn’t get much attention, which
I find surprising. A victim of the first war She is relatively
intact with a lovely counter stern, not far out and just seems
to be ignored. I really liked exploring her and wonder if everyone
sees what I see. Come and dive her and let me know what you think.
Max depth 47M
Elena R
This ship sank on the outside of the Shambles bank after hitting
a mine she still stands 6 metres high in places but the wreck
is constantly being buried and uncovered by the ever shifting
sands of the bank. This has also had the effect of sand blasting
and parts of the wreck are highly polished. In good vis this is
an excellent dive but you do need to dive at the right state of
the tide or you will end up in sandy soup Max depth 30M
Frogner
A victim of the first war this wreck is a haven for large and
I mean large Lobster. She is one of several wrecks worked by local
divers over the years but much still remains I have never had
any complaints about this wreck most divers love it andoften want
to return so that says it all. Max depth 36M
Alex Van Opstal
This ship was almost brand new when she also succumbed to the
mines near the Shambles bank. She was a large passenger/cargo
vessel and like the Benny is often a good bad weather dive. Her
bow is intact and stands some 7 metres high as you travel along
towards the stern she is more and more broken. As with several
wrecks near to Portland she is only safely diveable at one particular
state of the tide so again local knowledge is advisable. Max depth
30M
..... see picture
P555
An ex American submarine which was supplied to the British navy
under the wartime lease lend scheme. At the end of the second
war we must have had the best out of her as they didn’t
want her back and in 1947 she was scuttled as a Sonar target.
P555 remains in remarkable condition and sits proudly upright
as if waiting for action. She is quite a sight and well worth
a look even if submarines are not your bag. Max depth 44M
..... see picture
Landrail
After a long and chequered Naval career that saw her involved
in several accidents this ship was sunk but not intentionally
during target practice. She had been filled with cork and was
supposed to float even after several direct hits and then towed
back to Portland repaired and used again Landrail had other ideas
and sank under tow. Today she makes a great dive probably one
of the prettiest wrecks in the bay and still retaining much of
her very large and to heavy to lift brass fittings. Max depth
34M
..... see picture
Iolanthe
It’s hard to believe but this wreck was only found in the
early nineties, considering her size and location that’s
quite surprising. The wreck is fairly well collapsed but there
is plenty of it and her cargo of railway rolling stock is in evidence.
She stands 7 metres in places and the bow is still intact. Max
depth 46M
..... see picture
Ethel
Discovered in the late eighties this wreck lies outside the Shambles
bank she is well collapsed amidships but stands at the bow and
stern. The wreck is often covered in mussels, which attracts much
life and makes a scenic dive. The Ethel sankunder tow and apparently
part of a bell was raised but I do have doubts about whether this
really is the Ethel, perhaps some detective work is necessary.Max
depth 38M
.........................................see
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