CALCIUM (POSSIBLY) - Northumberland & Northeast

The *Calcium*, a steamship sunk by a mine in 1940, sits upright at 22 metres. It’s a proper wreck dive, not just a pile of rubble, and that’s why we love it. The bow section is still largely intact, the plates peeling away in places like old wallpaper, revealing the skeletal ribs underneath. You can swim into the cargo hold, a dark maw where light filters through gaps in the decking, and it's here we find the site's real magic. We’ve seen some huge lobsters tucked into the corners, their antennae twitching in the gloom, and the sheer volume of dead man’s fingers that blanket the steel is impressive. They glow a brilliant orange under the torch beam, transforming the grim metal into something almost organic. Current can be a factor here, so we always plan our dives for slack water. It makes exploring the superstructure, particularly the stern where the propeller shaft is still visible, much more enjoyable. This is a dive for those who appreciate history and the way the sea reclaims what's lost, with the bonus of some classic North Sea marine life making it home.

Location
Northumberland & Northeast, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
53.416916, -3.751257
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
22m

Wreck History - CALCIUM (POSSIBLY)

Year Sunk
1940
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
mined

Shrouded in some uncertainty, the wreck known as the 'Calcium (Possibly)' is a casualty of the Second World War. This steamship met its end on December 30, 1940, after striking a German mine laid off the strategically important Northumberland coast. During the war, these waters were heavily contested and mined, claiming many merchant vessels that were vital to the British war effort.

Lying at a depth of 22 meters, this wreck offers a compelling dive for those with Advanced Open Water certification or equivalent experience. The North Sea has claimed the vessel over the decades, and it is now a broken but intriguing structure, colonized by a rich tapestry of marine life, including anemones, dead man's fingers, and schooling fish. Its classification as a 'Dangerous Wreck' suggests a collapsed and scattered site, which provides numerous nooks and crannies for divers to peer into, searching for artifacts and aquatic residents. The mystery of its definitive identity only adds to the allure of the dive.

Marine Protected Area: Great Orme

Nearby Dive Sites in Northumberland & Northeast

Nearest Dive Centres to CALCIUM (POSSIBLY)

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