wreck

Log This Dive

HMS BITTERN

The HMS Bittern is a proper challenge, a deep wreck for technical divers who appreciate a bit of history along with their deco stops. Lying at 55 metres, she’s a destroyer from 1897, sunk in 1918 after a collision. We think she's a fantastic example of a Victorian-era warship, beautifully preserved by the cold, dark English Channel. Dropping down, the bow is often the first thing to materialise from the gloom, still quite proud, with the torpedo tubes a particular highlight further along the deck. You can really get a sense of her original form, the structure solid despite over a century on the seabed. We’ve found the stern section to be especially interesting, often draped in dead men’s fingers, which glow softly under a dive light. Look out for conger eels here, they love the darker recesses. Visibility can be hit or miss, typical of the Channel, but on a good day, when a little light penetrates, the sheer scale of the wreck is impressive. This is one for experienced divers who are comfortable with depth and overhead environments, offering a tangible connection to naval history.