ADC 527 - Northumberland & Northeast

There’s something truly compelling about a wreck with a story, and the ADC 527 has a heartbreaking one. This landing craft, sunk in a storm in 1946 while on an ammunition dumping run, took all 12 of its crew with it. Diving it, you feel that history. We love the way she’s settled upright at 50 metres, still looking like a vessel, not just a pile of scrap. The sheer scale is impressive, at nearly 60 metres long, there’s plenty to explore, from the bow where the ramp would have been to the stern, now a haven for life. Visibility here can be a bit of a lottery, as it often is in the Northeast, but when it’s good, the structure is striking. Look for the large propeller, still in place, and the holds that now house a surprising number of ling and conger eels, tucked into every crevice. We’ve seen huge shoals of cod here too, swirling around the deck. It’s a deep dive, definitely one for experienced divers comfortable with overhead environments and good buoyancy. Our favourite is exploring the internal spaces, but take care, this is a genuine wreck, not a playground. A great dive for those who appreciate maritime history and a proper, challenging wreck.

Location
Northumberland & Northeast, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
54.579270, -4.215122
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
50m

Wreck History - ADC 527

Year Sunk
1946
Vessel Type
landing craft
Cause
storm

The sinking of the ADC 527 is a tragic postscript to the Second World War. A repurposed landing craft, the vessel was tasked with one of the most dangerous peacetime operations: the disposal of surplus ammunition. On January 8, 1946, while en route to the deep-water trench of Beaufort's Dyke to dump its volatile cargo, the ADC 527 was caught in severe weather off the Northumberland coast. The storm proved too powerful for the vessel, and it was lost with all 12 of its crew, a final, heartbreaking sacrifice made after the war had officially ended.

Today, the wreck of the ADC 527 lies at a depth of 50 metres. It is a sombre and challenging dive, accessible only to technical divers prepared for the demanding conditions of the North Sea. The vessel serves as an underwater memorial to its lost crew and a stark reminder of the often-unseen dangers that continued long after the fighting stopped. For visiting divers, it is a poignant site that tells a story not of battle, but of a vital and hazardous duty that ended in tragedy.

Marine Protected Area: Isle of Whithorn Bay

Nearby Dive Sites in Northumberland & Northeast

Nearest Dive Centres to ADC 527

Marine Life in Northumberland & Northeast

Home to 132 recorded species including 53 reef fish, 15 whales & dolphins, 11 sharks & rays, 10 other, 10 seagrass & algae, 9 crabs & lobsters.

Notable Species