FRANCES ANN - Northumberland & Northeast

The Frances Ann is a proper old-school wreck, and that’s why we love it. Forget those gleaming, intact ships; this barge, sunk back in 1879, is more like an archaeological puzzle, spread out across the seabed at a gentle 13 metres. You’re not swimming through cabins here, you’re tracing the ghost of a vessel, picking out bent plates and the curve of a rib. It’s a site for those who appreciate history and the slow reclamation by the ocean, rather than a perfect photo opportunity. What makes it special for us is how the local crabs and lobsters have made a home in every crevice. We’ve found some chunky edible crabs sheltering under collapsed sections, and the small rockfish dart in and out of the debris. Visibility can be a bit hit or miss, typical for the North Sea, but on a good day, with a bit of sunlight filtering down, the silhouette of the wreck against the sand is quite something. It’s an easy dive, good for newer divers keen to explore a wreck without the concerns of penetration or depth. Our top tip? Go slow, really examine the smaller sections; that’s where the character of the Frances Ann truly reveals itself.

Location

Northumberland & Northeast, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe

Coordinates

53.417480, -3.009682

Type

wreck

Maximum Depth

13m

Marine Protected Area: Mersey Narrows