BARON GLAMIS (PROBABLY) - Northumberland & Northeast

The BARON GLAMIS (PROBABLY) is one of those frustratingly brilliant sites where the "probably" only adds to its North Sea charm. We love diving this wreck, knowing it might be her, or maybe another steamship, but either way, it’s a proper dive. At a shallow 9 metres, it’s fantastic for newer wreck divers or anyone looking for a longer bottom time without deco worries. What you get is a solid, broken-up steamship, probably lying on its side. The triple-expansion engines are usually the giveaway if you can get a good look, and they’re our favourite part to poke around. You’ll find walls of plumose anemones, often swaying gently in the slight surge, and dead man’s fingers clinging to every rivet. Look for the lobsters tucked into crevices; they’re pretty bold here. The visibility can be hit or miss, typical for the Northeast, but when it’s good, the light penetrates beautifully, illuminating the anemones in an almost ethereal glow. It’s a site that rewards multiple visits – each time, you notice a new detail, another piece of history peeking through the kelp.

Location
Northumberland & Northeast, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
54.977200, -5.188433
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
9m

Wreck History - BARON GLAMIS (PROBABLY)

Year Sunk
1903
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
grounding

The SS Baron Glamis was a classic turn-of-the-century steamship, built in 1894 with powerful triple-expansion engines for the well-known Hogarth Shipping Co. In January 1903, she embarked on a long and ambitious voyage, leaving the River Clyde in Scotland with a destination of Buenos Aires, Argentina. For ships of her era, this was a significant undertaking, traversing the treacherous waters of the North Atlantic before heading south.

Her journey was cut tragically short. On January 21, 1903, the Baron Glamis ran aground on the Northumberland coast, a victim of the navigational challenges that claimed so many vessels. Today, the wreck, which is widely believed to be the Baron Glamis, rests in just 9 metres of water. This shallow depth makes it an excellent and accessible dive for all levels. Divers can explore the scattered remains of this Victorian steamer, likely broken up by over a century of storms, with the prominent engine block and boilers often providing the most substantial features to investigate.

Marine Protected Area: Corsewall Point to Milleur Point

Nearby Dive Sites in Northumberland & Northeast

Nearest Dive Centres to BARON GLAMIS (PROBABLY)

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