ARANTZAZU MENDI - Northumberland & Northeast

The Arantzazu Mendi is a proper beast of a wreck, just off Beadnell Point, and honestly, we love it. At only 3m deep, it’s not about the technical challenge, but the sheer scale of the thing. You’re essentially diving a colossal, broken-up hull spread across the seabed, a steamship that met its end in dense fog back in '39. It’s an absolute maze of twisted metal and huge plates, all encrusted with seaweeds and anenomes. You’ll weave through massive sections of hull, spotting crabs scuttling in every crevice and shoals of juvenile fish darting between the rusty frames. Our favourite parts are the enormous boilers, still surprisingly intact, and the propeller shaft. The low depth means you get fantastic bottom time, perfect for just poking around and really soaking in the history. It's an ideal spot for macro photographers and those who appreciate a good, historical wreck without the need for deep diving skills. Visibility can be a bit hit or miss, so aim for slack water on a calm day to get the best out of it.

Location
Northumberland & Northeast, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
54.373634, -5.441583
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
3m

Wreck History - ARANTZAZU MENDI

Year Sunk
1939
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
grounding
Tonnage
3,059 GRT

The Arantzazu Mendi was a Spanish steamship built in 1920 in Sunderland, just a stone's throw from where she would eventually meet her end. In the spring of 1939, just months before the outbreak of World War II, she was on a passage from Bougie, Algeria, bound for Glasgow with a cargo of iron ore. The journey was uneventful until she reached the treacherous waters off the Northumberland coast.

On May 9, 1939, a dense fog enveloped the sea, severely limiting visibility. The ship lost its bearings and struck the notorious Knivestone reef, part of the Farne Islands chain. The impact tore a hole in the hull, and the vessel was doomed. The crew was successfully rescued by the Longstone lighthouse keepers and the Seahouses lifeboat, a testament to the bravery of the local mariners.

Lying in just 3 meters of water, the Arantzazu Mendi is now a highly scattered wreck, battered by decades of North Sea storms. It is an excellent site for novice divers and even snorkelers. Divers can explore the ship's massive boilers, which stand proud of the seabed, along with twisted plates and sections of the hull that are now completely integrated into the reef. The site is a favorite haunt for the local grey seal population, often providing divers with curious and playful companions during their exploration.

Marine Protected Area: Ballyquintin Point

Nearby Dive Sites in Northumberland & Northeast

Nearest Dive Centres to ARANTZAZU MENDI

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