wreck

Log This Dive

KRISTIAN RUSS

The Kristian Russ is what we mean when we talk about a ‘proper wreck dive’ off Bornholm. Lying at a comfortable 18 metres, it’s not too deep, making for good bottom time, which we always appreciate. We’ve visited this steamship many times since she went down in a collision in 1957, and she’s always got something new to show us. You’ll drop down onto a largely intact wreck, the bow section still quite striking. We love finning along the deck, imagining the final moments, before pushing through into the holds. This is where the wreck really comes alive with a surprising amount of fish – big cod often lurk in the shadowed corners, and the light filtering in creates these moody, atmospheric shafts. Our favourite part is always the stern, where the prop shaft and rudder are often draped in a shimmering curtain of tiny silver fish. This isn’t a colourful coral reef, but the sheer volume of life inhabiting the metal shell is fantastic, a testament to nature’s reclamation. It’s perfect for divers who appreciate history and the quiet drama of a shipwreck. Just be mindful of the occasional silty patches inside, and we’d suggest a good dive light to really pick out the details.