wreck

Log This Dive

HMS/m A1

Diving a piece of history so close to shore is always a treat, and the A1 submarine definitely delivers. She’s Britain’s very first home-designed submarine, and seeing her mostly intact, lying quietly on the seabed at just 9 metres, is quite something. We love how accessible she is; it’s a brilliant dive for those newer to wreck diving or anyone looking for a relaxed bimble with a solid dose of historical intrigue. You can clearly make out the conning tower, the hydroplanes, and even her torpedo tube door. The A1 sits gently on a soft seabed, offering a fantastic habitat for local marine life. You’ll find plenty of crabs tucked into her nooks and crannies, and often, we’ve spotted various flatfish camouflaged on the sand right beside her hull. The low depth means light penetrates well, giving you good visibility to appreciate her lines, especially on a sunny day. We’d suggest timing your dive for slack water to get the most out of exploring her features without any push, allowing you to really soak in the atmosphere of this pioneering vessel.