wreck

Log This Dive

HMSM D1

Diving the HMSM D1 is a proper journey back in time, and one we always look forward to when conditions are right. This isn't your average pile of twisted metal; the D1, prototype for the Royal Navy's first diesel subs, lies upright and remarkably intact at 48 metres. You really get a sense of its pioneering design as you follow the hull. We love tracing the outline of the conning tower, imagining the secrecy that surrounded its launch in 1908. The real draw here, beyond the history, is the atmosphere – that deep, silty quiet of a forgotten vessel. Life has well and truly moved in; expect to see conger eels peering from every dark opening, their thick bodies often startling you as you fin past. The deck is often dusted with dead man’s fingers, and we've spotted plenty of inquisitive spider crabs picking their way across the old plating. It’s a dive that demands good deep diving experience and a calm day for the best visibility, which, let’s be honest, can be hit or miss in these parts. But when it's good, it’s exceptionally rewarding for those who appreciate maritime history and the quiet beauty of a deep, historical wreck.