ANGOLA

The SS Angola was a typical British cargo steamer of the late Victorian era. Built in Liverpool in 1880, the 1,146 GRT vessel was powered by a 120-horsepower compound steam engine, dutifully plying the trade routes of Northern Europe for her owners, Halton & Cookson of Liverpool.

On March 5th, 1887, the Angola was on a routine voyage from Hamburg to Newcastle, carrying a general cargo. As she neared the English coast, she encountered thick fog and heavy seas. The poor visibility proved fatal, and the ship ran aground on the notorious Hasborough Sands. She managed to pull free from the sandbank, but the damage was done; she was taking on water faster than her pumps could handle. The crew had no choice but to abandon ship before the Angola foundered and slipped beneath the waves, coming to rest on the seabed off the Farne Islands.

At a depth of 16 meters, the wreck of the Angola is a fantastic dive for a wide range of experience levels. While over a century of immersion has left the wreck well-broken, her most substantial components, including her single boiler and the remains of her compound engine, are still clearly identifiable. The site is a haven for marine life, with colourful anemones and soft corals adorning the metalwork. Divers exploring the wreckage are often greeted by the area's famous inquisitive grey seals, adding a memorable wildlife encounter to this historic dive.