ANN SUMNER - Northumberland & Northeast

The Ann Sumner, a sailing vessel that went down back in 1888, really delivers on character, even at only 10m. This isn’t a pristine, intact wreck, mind you. Instead, she’s beautifully broken up, a sprawl of ribs and timbers that feel more like an archaeological dig than a typical dive. We love how the sea has worked its magic here, softening the hard lines and inviting a surprising amount of life into the jumbled remains. Visibility can be a bit variable, as it often is off the Northumberland coast, but on a good day, the light plays through the wreck's skeletal structure, highlighting the plumose anemones that sway on every surface. Look closely among the beams and you'll spot plenty of blennies darting about, along with the occasional crab scuttling for cover. It’s a gentle dive, perfect for extending bottom time, poking around the wreckage, and enjoying the quiet exploration. If you’re after a deep, dramatic wreck, this isn’t it. But for a relaxed exploration of history and the hardy marine life of the North Sea, the Ann Sumner is our pick. Try to time your dive around slack water; the current can pick up a bit here.

Location
Northumberland & Northeast, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
53.479416, -3.251320
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
10m

Wreck History - ANN SUMNER

Year Sunk
1888
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
storm
Tonnage
88 GRT

The Ann Sumner was a typical 19th-century wooden schooner, a workhorse of the British coastal trade. These sailing vessels were the lifeblood of commerce, braving the unpredictable North Sea to transport goods between ports. In February 1888, the 88-ton Ann Sumner was on one such voyage, carrying a cargo of chalk from London to Seaham.

On Valentine's Day, February 14th, the schooner was caught in a fierce winter storm that so often plagues the Northumberland coast. Battered by the elements, the vessel foundered and sank approximately two-thirds of a mile north of the Newcome Knowl Buoy. The sinking was swift and tragic, claiming the lives of three of her crew members, a somber reminder of the perils of sailing in the age before modern navigation and communication.

Lying at a shallow depth of just 10 meters, the remains of the Ann Sumner are now scattered across the seabed. Over 130 years of North Sea storms have taken their toll, leaving behind a field of wooden timbers, iron fittings, and perhaps remnants of her chalk cargo. While not an intact wreck, it offers an interesting dive for novices and history enthusiasts alike, providing a tangible link to the region's maritime past. Its 'dangerous' classification is due to its shallow depth, making it a hazard to surface navigation.

Marine Protected Area: North Wirral Foreshore

Nearby Dive Sites in Northumberland & Northeast

Nearest Dive Centres to ANN SUMNER

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