wreck

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C S PARNELL

The C S Parnell is one of those shallow wrecks that just keeps giving. We love coming back here, especially when there’s a bit of a swell running, as it really makes the old timbers creak – you can almost feel the history. This wooden sailing vessel, sunk way back in 1905, lies in just 6 metres of water, making it perfect for an extended rummage. You’ll find the ribs of the hull still largely intact, a real skeleton of a ship, and it’s fascinating to trace the lines of her construction. We always take our time poking around the scattered debris field. Keep an eye out for the anchor chain snaking away from the main wreckage; it’s often draped in little jewel anemones. The timbers themselves are encrusted with sponges and hydroids, creating miniature ecosystems where blennies dart in and out of crevices and small crabs scuttle across the dark wood. On a sunny day, the light filters through the water and plays across the wreck, highlighting the subtle colours of the growth and the occasional flash of a pollack or a wrasse hiding in the shadows. It’s a gentle dive, more about exploration and atmosphere than big pelagics, and we’d recommend it for anyone who appreciates the quiet beauty of a historical wreck.