wreck

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PRINCESS ROYAL

The Princess Royal, resting at 34 metres, is one of those wrecks that just gets under your skin. We love how intact she feels despite being down since 1918. Her sheer size, 88 metres of steamship, means you'll need more than one dive to really get a handle on her. Dropping down, the bow section is often the first thing that comes into view, sometimes eerily silhouetted against the murkier green water. Swim along her decks, past the remains of her triple-expansion engine, and you start to get a real sense of her scale. Look for the massive prop shaft, a truly impressive piece of engineering. It’s dark down there, even on a sunny day, so good lights are essential – we always suggest a primary and a backup. What truly brings her to life is the resident marine population. Expect to find conger eels peering from every dark hole, their thick bodies wrapped around rusted beams. Our favourite sight is the shoals of poor cod, a shimmering cloud that parts and reforms as you move through the wreck. Big bib hang around the deeper parts, too, often joining the congers. This site really suits divers who appreciate historical wrecks and aren't put off by deeper, darker conditions. The currents here can be tricky, so pick your slack water carefully and make sure you’re comfortable with drift lines. It’s a proper dive, one that rewards careful planning.