wreck

Log This Dive

COUNTY OF LANCASTER

The County of Lancaster, a motor vessel sunk by a mine in 1917, feels like a proper historical dive. It’s sitting upright in 32 metres, with a lot of the structure still intact – a really satisfying shape to explore. We love finning along the deck, peeking into the holds, which are often full of schooling pollock, and running our hands over the plates, feeling that rough texture of history beneath our fingertips. The visibility here can be decent on a good day, but it’s always a little moody, that classic North Sea green, which actually adds to the atmosphere. For us, the stern is the highlight, with the rudder and prop shaft still visible, often draped in dead man's fingers and hosting inquisitive wrasse. It’s a site that rewards multiple dives; you always spot something new, a detail you missed before. We’d suggest timing your dive for slack water, it makes the penetration into the deeper sections much more manageable. If you appreciate a solid wreck that tells a story, and don’t mind a bit of a chill, this is definitely one for your logbook.