CALCIUM (PROBABLY) - Northumberland & Northeast

We’ve spent some chilly hours on the Calcium (Probably), and it’s a site that really gets its hooks in you. This isn’t a pristine, intact wreck you’ll swim through room by room. Instead, it’s an impressive debris field, scattered across the seabed at a consistent 11 metres. We think it’s best approached as a treasure hunt. You’ll find plates, the remains of the boiler, and twisted metal that gives away its 1940 sinking. Our favourite parts are the sections where the ship's structure creates small overhangs and hidey-holes. That’s where you’ll usually spot wrasse, some sizeable pollack, and sometimes even a lobster or two tucked away. Visibility here can be a bit of a lottery, as with much of the Northumberland coast, so we always check the tides – slack water is key for the best experience. If you’re into exploring history and don’t mind a bit of a rummage, this wreck is a solid choice. It’s accessible for most diver levels, making it a great dive to get familiar with North Sea wreck diving.

Location
Northumberland & Northeast, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
53.428100, -3.500551
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
11m

Wreck History - CALCIUM (PROBABLY)

Year Sunk
1940
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
mined
Tonnage
965 GRT

The SS Calcium was a classic steamship built in 1918 by G. Brown & Co. in Greenock, Scotland. Powered by a triple-expansion engine, the vessel was owned by the United Alkali Co Ltd, a subsidiary of the industrial giant ICI. As her name suggests, she was likely involved in transporting chemical products, a vital role for industry both in peacetime and during the war.

Her service came to a tragic end during the Second World War. On December 13, 1940, while navigating the perilous waters off the Northeast coast of England, the SS Calcium struck a mine. The explosion was catastrophic, and the ship sank quickly, becoming another victim of the intense naval warfare that characterized the period in the North Sea.

Today, the wreck of the Calcium rests in just 11 meters of water, making it a fantastic and accessible site for divers of all levels. Its shallow depth allows for long bottom times and excellent light penetration on clear days. The wreck is well broken up but key features, such as its single boiler and the remains of its engine, are still identifiable. It has transformed into a vibrant artificial reef, bustling with the marine life typical of the Northumberland coast.

Marine Protected Area: Liverpool Bay / Bae Lerpwl

Nearby Dive Sites in Northumberland & Northeast

Nearest Dive Centres to CALCIUM (PROBABLY)

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