BENGOLLYUN

Protected Area

Llanbadrig - Dinas Gynfor

Why dive here

With 118+ marine species recorded in the area - including dolphins, dwarf minke whales, humpback whales, ocean sunfish (mola mola) and orcas - BENGOLLYUN offers some of Northumberland & Northeast's richest wreck diving.

Marine lifeDolphins, Dwarf Minke Whales, Humpback Whales, Ocean Sunfish (Mola Mola) and Orcas · 118+ species recorded

CharacterWreck dive · max 45m

StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

The Bengollyun is one of those wrecks we keep coming back to, and it’s not just the depth that makes it interesting. This 1862 sailing vessel, lost in 1889, sits upright at 45m. Dropping down, you hit the bow first, often surrounded by a swirling cloud of coalfish. The ship’s lines are still surprisingly clear, especially the mast stumps reaching up from the deck, draped in dead man's fingers. We’ve found the best approach is to start at the bow and drift slowly towards the stern, letting the gentle current (if it's running) do some of the work. Look out for the capstan on the foredeck – it's usually teeming with crabs and juvenile wrasse. Around the midships, the holds are open, offering some penetration for experienced divers, though we tend to stick to the perimeter, admiring the sheer scale of the ship. The stern section, while more broken, often hosts larger ling and the occasional wolfish tucked away in a shadowed crevice. Visibility can be the usual North Sea roulette, but on a good day, when it stretches to 10 metres, the Bengollyun feels immense and truly transportive. It’s a proper deep dive, best for those comfortable with deco obligations and a decent bottom time.

Typical BENGOLLYUN Dive Profile

Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.

Safety Notes

Maximum depth 45m exceeds recreational limits (40m). Technical diving certification and equipment required.

Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.

Always perform a 3-minute safety stop at 5m before surfacing.

Today06:3717:3210h 55m daylightGolden hour 16:44

BENGOLLYUN Wreck History

Year Sunk

1889

Vessel Type

cargo ship

Cause

unknown

The Bengollyun was a vessel from the great age of sail, a sturdy ship built in West Hartlepool in 1862. By the time of her loss, she was a veteran of the seas, having spent decades carrying cargo under the ownership of McKinnon of Liverpool. She represented a fading era, as steam power was rapidly making sailing vessels like her obsolete.

Her final chapter began on March 20th, 1889, when she sailed from Liverpool, bound for an unknown destination. She was never seen again. With no witnesses or survivors, her fate remains a mystery, but it is highly probable she foundered in a powerful storm, overwhelmed by the very seas she had navigated for 27 years.

Resting at 45 meters, the Bengollyun is a deep dive for experienced technical or trimix divers. Descending into the dark, cool waters of the North Sea to find the remains of a 19th-century sailing ship is an incredible experience. While time and the sea will have taken their toll, divers can still find evidence of her past life-scattered timbers, rigging, and perhaps personal effects of the crew, offering a silent, haunting connection to a bygone maritime world.