wreck

Log This Dive

JAMES EAGAN LAYNE

The *James Eagan Layne* is our pick for a classic UK wreck dive, and if you’re only doing one in Plymouth, make it this one. She was a Liberty ship, sunk by a U-boat torpedo in 1945, and now sits upright in about 17 metres of water. We love a wreck that still looks like a ship, and the *Layne* certainly does. You can fin past the holds, some still open, imagining the cargo she never delivered. Look for big conger eels in the deeper sections, their heads poking out of nooks and crannies, and expect to see plenty of bib and pollack darting through the superstructure. What makes her special for us is the accessibility combined with character. The bow section is particularly impressive, rising up from the seabed, encrusted with anemones. Penetration is possible for experienced wreck divers, though we’d suggest a good torch even on a bright day. Visibility can swing here, from a gloomy few metres to a decent 10 or 12, especially on a settled day with an incoming tide. Keep an eye on the current; it can pick up, so plan your dive around slack water for the most relaxed exploration. She’s a proper historical dive, well worth the journey.