BOUBOLINA - Northumberland & Northeast

The *Boubolina* is just excellent if you’re into proper history and don't mind a shallower dive. We're talking about a paddle steamer here, an iron-built beauty that met its end in 1867 when her boiler went up. You can practically feel the echoes of that explosion down there, even now. The wreck is pretty scattered, split in two as the old reports say, but that just means more ground to cover, picking through the ribs and plates. We love nosing around the engine room area, picturing those paddle wheels churning. It’s all very broken up, but the sheer scale of the iron hull is still impressive, testament to Victorian engineering. For marine life, it’s all about the smaller stuff here: lobsters tucked into every crevice, blennies darting between the decaying metalwork, and sometimes, a decent-sized cod eyeing you up from the shadows. Keep an eye on the tide, as it can get a bit silty if you’re not careful, but on a clear day, the visibility lets you take in the whole scene. This one suits divers who appreciate a wreck with a story, happy to spend 8 metres making discoveries rather than chasing depth.

Location
Northumberland & Northeast, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
53.364986, -2.973851
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
8m

Wreck History - BOUBOLINA

Year Sunk
1867
Vessel Type
passenger ship
Cause
unknown

The Boubolina was an iron-hulled paddle steamer that met a sudden and violent end. In November 1867, while resting at her anchorage above New Ferry, a catastrophic boiler explosion ripped through the vessel with such force that it broke the ship in two. The remains sank immediately, leaving a testament to the immense power of unchecked steam.

Lying at a very accessible depth of just 8 meters, the Boubolina is an excellent site for novice wreck divers and photographers. The explosion scattered wreckage across the seabed, and divers can explore the twisted iron plates, remnants of the compound expansion engine, and parts of the paddle propulsion system. The shallow depth allows for long bottom times and good light penetration on clear days, illuminating the story of this vessel's dramatic final moments.

Marine Protected Area: New Ferry

Nearby Dive Sites in Northumberland & Northeast

Nearest Dive Centres to BOUBOLINA

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