CAMILLA - Northumberland & Northeast

The *Camilla* is one of our absolute favourite Northumberland wreck dives, especially when we want a shallow potter. This wooden sailing vessel, sunk way back in 1872, is a real testament to how the sea reclaims things. You’ll find her broken up across a wide, flat area, with the larger timbers still holding a discernible ship shape. We love tracing the keel and ribs, imagining the hull plating that once held her together, now long gone. What makes the *Camilla* special, beyond her age, is the way the local marine life has utterly transformed her. Look closely and you’ll spot plumose anemones clinging to every surface, waving like delicate white flowers in the surge. Crab species, often sizeable edible crabs and velvet swimmers, scuttle among the broken frames, eyeing you suspiciously from the shadows. It’s a great spot for photographers keen on macro subjects, especially with the decent ambient light filtering down to 9 metres. On a day with good visibility, perhaps 5-8 metres, the whole site feels incredibly atmospheric. Just remember, strong currents can sweep through here, so pick a slack tide for the most relaxed dive.

Location
Northumberland & Northeast, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
53.526910, -3.262154
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
9m

Wreck History - CAMILLA

Year Sunk
1872
Vessel Type
sailing vessel
Cause
grounding

The Camilla was a 21-metre wooden sailing vessel, a typical workhorse of the seas in the mid-19th century. In the harsh winter of December 1872, while navigating the notoriously treacherous Northumberland coast, the ship ran into trouble. It ultimately stranded and was lost to the sea, a fate shared by countless other vessels of the era that battled the unforgiving coastline and powerful North Sea storms. The ship and its cargo were swallowed by the waves, leaving behind a wreck that now serves as a window into a bygone era of maritime trade.

Lying in just 9 metres of water, the remains of the Camilla offer a shallow but fascinating dive. As a wooden vessel wrecked over 150 years ago, the main structure has long since collapsed and scattered. Divers will not find an intact ship, but rather an archaeological site spread across the seabed. Exploring the area reveals timbers, ballast stones, and perhaps small, encrusted artifacts from 1872. It's a dive into history, a chance to connect with the age of sail and the perils faced by its mariners.

Marine Protected Area: Liverpool Bay / Bae Lerpwl

Nearby Dive Sites in Northumberland & Northeast

Nearest Dive Centres to CAMILLA

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