CARGO FLEET NUMBER TWO
Protected Area
Teesmouth and Cleveland Coast
Why dive here
With 118+ marine species recorded in the area - including dolphins, dwarf minke whales, humpback whales, ocean sunfish (mola mola) and orcas - CARGO FLEET NUMBER TWO offers some of Northumberland & Northeast's richest wreck diving.
The Cargo Fleet Number Two sits flat on a sandy seabed, a victim of a mine in 1940. It’s a shallow dive, just 15 metres, which is brilliant for extending bottom time, especially when the light is good. We love diving this wreck on a calm day, because the visibility can really open up and you can take in the entire outline of the barge. What we really enjoy here is the way the wreck has become a home. You’ll find cod sheltering in the deeper sections, and conger eels peeking out from under plates of collapsed steel. The metalwork itself is softened by dead man's fingers and anemones, so the site has this almost gentle feel, despite its history. It’s a fantastic spot for photographers looking for interesting compositions without the pressure of deep deco stops. We’d suggest going at slack water to avoid any surge, which can kick up the sand and obscure the view. Keep an eye out for crabs scuttling over the plates, they're surprisingly bold here.
Typical CARGO FLEET NUMBER TWO 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.
Always perform a 3-minute safety stop at 5m before surfacing.
CARGO FLEET NUMBER TWO Wreck History
Year Sunk
1940
Vessel Type
barge
Cause
mined
The story of the Cargo Fleet Number Two is a solemn footnote in the history of the Second World War, a reminder that the conflict reached every corner of Britain's coastline. This unassuming barge met a violent end on October 13, 1940, when it struck a German-laid mine off the Northumberland coast. The explosion was catastrophic, sending the vessel and its cargo to the bottom in an instant.
Lying at a depth of just 15 metres, this wreck is a superb and highly accessible dive for all levels, from newly qualified open water divers to seasoned veterans. The shallow depth allows for plenty of bottom time and excellent light penetration on clear days. The wreck is classified as 'dangerous', which advises caution around sharp metal and potential entanglement hazards, but for the prepared diver, it offers a fascinating glimpse into a piece of local wartime history. Over the years, the wreckage has transformed into a thriving artificial reef, attracting schools of fish and a variety of crustacean life.
Nearest Dive Centres to CARGO FLEET NUMBER TWO
Dive shops near CARGO FLEET NUMBER TWO
Denney Diving
Durham University Sub Aqua Society
Scuba Diver Training Ltd
Reviews for CARGO FLEET NUMBER TWO
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for CARGO FLEET NUMBER TWO
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