wreck

Log This Dive

HMS NEWBRIDGE (PROBABLY)

Diving the HMS *Newbridge* is like stepping back into a moment of maritime history, though we still put "probably" in the name, just in case. She’s a trawler, sunk in 1917, and sits upright at 55 metres. That depth means this is definitely one for the experienced technical divers among us, a proper challenge. When you drop down, the sheer scale of her suddenly appears from the gloom, often cloaked in plumose anemones, their white tentacles waving gently in the current. We’ve found her bow section particularly photogenic, with the anchor chain still visible, disappearing into the sand. You can poke around the engine room if your gas planning allows, seeing the triple-expansion engine still largely intact. Look for the massive boiler, a real focal point. It’s dark down there, even on a sunny day, so good lights are essential to pick out the details – the shoals of poor cod darting between bulkheads, even the occasional conger eel peeking from a pipe. We love how the wreck just feels *solid*, a testament to her build. Our favourite time to dive her is late summer, when the thermocline isn't quite so biting and the surface conditions are usually calmer.