Benholm - Northumberland & Northeast

Benholm. Now there’s a proper wreck dive for you. We love the history here; it’s a collision wreck, sunk back in 1898 after meeting the SS Klondyke. You really feel that weight of maritime history when you descend. Dropping down, the first thing that hits you is the sheer scale. At 71.9m long, she’s a big girl, and resting in 45m, this is one for the more experienced among us, no doubt about it. The stern section is our favourite part to explore, with its huge propeller often still visible. The wreck has been down a long time, so everything is draped in an incredible array of anemones, soft corals, and dead man’s fingers. Look closely into the nooks and crannies – you’ll often spot a wolf fish peeking out, or a conger eel coiled in a dark corner. Schools of juvenile coalfish often swirl around the superstructure, creating these shimmering walls of silver. The visibility in the Northeast can be hit or miss, but when it’s good, Benholm truly shines. We always try to time our dives for slack water; the currents here can be powerful, and you want time to properly explore without fighting the flow. It’s a site that rewards multiple visits, revealing new details each time you descend.

Location
Northumberland & Northeast, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
53.511723, -4.489808
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
45m

Wreck History - Benholm

Year Sunk
1898
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
collision

The SS Benholm was a typical coastal steamship of the late 19th century. Her career came to a sudden and violent end on the night of May 14th, 1898. While on a routine passage from Liverpool to Cardiff, she was involved in a catastrophic collision with another steamer, the SS Klondyke, about 12 miles off Lynas Point, Anglesey, and quickly sank beneath the waves.

A layer of mystery surrounds this particular wreck site. While historical records definitively place the Benholm's sinking off the coast of Wales, this wreck lies far to the northeast, off the Northumberland coast. This significant discrepancy raises intriguing questions for the divers who explore her. Is this truly the Benholm, perhaps moved by a failed salvage attempt or simply misidentified over the decades? Or is it another vessel entirely, a forgotten casualty of the sea?

Sitting at a challenging depth of 45 meters, this wreck is a dive for the technically trained. The mystery of its identity adds a compelling element to the exploration. As you descend through the cool, green water, you are not just visiting a wreck; you are investigating a historical puzzle, examining the remains of a late-Victorian steamship and searching for clues that might finally confirm its name.

Marine Protected Area: Llanbadrig - Dinas Gynfor

Nearby Dive Sites in Northumberland & Northeast

Nearest Dive Centres to Benholm

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