BESSIE

Protected Area

Langness

Why dive here

With 118+ marine species recorded in the area - including dolphins, dwarf minke whales, humpback whales, ocean sunfish (mola mola) and orcas - BESSIE 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 1m

StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

We love Bessie for a very specific reason: she’s a wreck you can visit without even getting wet. This isn't a dive site in the traditional sense, but a fascinating historical wreck visible right from the shore at Langness. When the tide pulls back, the skeletal remains of the Bessie, a steamship lost in 1901, emerge from the waves. You can walk right up to her, clambering over the seaweed-slicked rocks to touch the rusted plates. It's a striking sight, especially on a blustery day, with the waves crashing around the exposed ribs of the hull. Our pick for visiting is definitely at low tide, obviously, but check the conditions – a calm day makes scrambling the rocks much easier. You’ll see crabs scuttling in the puddles around her, and the whole wreck is encrusted with barnacles and mussels. It’s a powerful reminder of the sea’s raw strength and a great spot for an afternoon ramble for anyone who appreciates maritime history, whether they dive or not.

Typical BESSIE Dive Profile

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

Safety Notes

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

Today06:3917:3310h 54m daylightGolden hour 16:44

BESSIE Wreck History

Year Sunk

1917

Vessel Type

cargo ship

Cause

grounding

The steamship SS Bessie was built in 1901 and served for over a decade and a half before meeting her end in the unforgiving winter seas. In late January 1917, while on a passage from Preston to Douglas, the Bessie was caught in severe weather that battered the vessel relentlessly. The storm proved too much for her steering gear, and the ship lost her rudder, leaving her helpless and at the mercy of the waves.

Adrift and unsteerable, the crew had no choice but to abandon their vessel. The Bessie was left to her fate, eventually being driven aground on the rocks opposite the watch tower on Langness. The powerful surf would have quickly broken the ship apart, scattering her remains across the shallow reef.

Lying at a depth of just one meter, the Bessie is now a scattered collection of wreckage, heavily salvaged by the sea itself. On a very calm day, this site can be explored by snorkelers or divers looking for a shallow shore dive. You can expect to find twisted plates, parts of the steam engine, and other remnants of the ship fused into the rocky seabed, a stark reminder of the power of the North Sea.