wreck

Log This Dive

JOHN BIRKE

The John Birke is one of those wrecks that really sticks with you. It’s a small lighter, only about seven metres long, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in character. Lying upright at 22 metres, it feels like you've stumbled upon a miniature ghost ship. We love diving this wreck on a day with good visibility, perhaps eight metres or more, because then you can really appreciate its intact structure. You’ll find the steering gear still in place, which is always a neat detail. This isn’t a wreck for penetration, but it's perfect for a relaxed dive, circling slowly, picking out all the small features. Critters have made a real home here, too. We’ve often seen massive crabs tucked into crevices, their eyes watching you, and the deck beams are covered in anemones and dead man’s fingers. The current can pick up, so we’d suggest timing your dive for slack water; it makes for a much more enjoyable experience when you’re not fighting to stay put. For divers who appreciate historical context and a chance to spend quality time with a smaller, well-preserved wreck, the John Birke is a solid choice. It's a proper little time capsule down there.