wreck

Log This Dive

MOLESEY

We love a deep wreck, and Molesey is a proper dive for those who seek them out. This isn't a beginner’s splash; at 59 metres, you need to be comfortable with your decompression protocols and have a cool head. Dropping onto the deck of this steamship, torpedoed in 1917, feels like stepping back in time. The ship lies upright, and while the superstructure has suffered, you can still trace the lines of her cargo holds, imagining the passage she was making from Sfax to Hull. Our favourite part is the engine room, often penetrable for those with the right training and gear – just be mindful of silting. Light plays off the brass and copper that divers have polished over the decades, illuminating resident conger eels. We’ve seen lobsters tucked into every nook and cranny, and schools of pollock often swirl above the bow. Vis here can vary hugely with the tides; aim for slack water on a neap tide for the best chance of decent conditions, and be prepared for chilly temperatures even in summer. It’s a rewarding dive for technical divers who appreciate a piece of history and the unique life it now supports.