wreck

Log This Dive

CHATBURN (POSSIBLY)

The Chatburn, a steamer sunk by a U-boat in 1917, is one of those deeper wrecks that really rewards a planned dive. We love the sheer scale of it, sitting upright on the seabed at 57 metres, its structure largely intact despite the century it’s spent down there. Dropping onto the bridge area, you can still trace the outline of the vessel, feeling the cold, dark water around you as you descend. Our favourite part is exploring the holds, often filled with conger eels – some of them huge – tucked into every crevice. You’ll also find spider crabs scuttling across the deck plates and nudibranchs clinging to the superstructure. This is a dive for experienced technical divers, those comfortable with deeper profiles and the conditions the English Channel can throw at you. Go on a slack tide, obviously, but also look for a day with minimal surface swell; the long ascent can get uncomfortable otherwise. It’s a proper piece of history down there, a somber reminder of a different time, and always worth the effort.