LIZZIE MORTON - Northumberland & Northeast

The Lizzie Morton is one of those wrecks we keep coming back to in Northumberland, even if she’s well-dispersed now. Don’t expect a fully intact hull; this 1876 sailing vessel broke up a long time ago, lying spread across the seabed at a consistent 16 metres. What you get instead is a really interesting debris field, more an archaeological dig than a complete ship. We love the way the ribs and hull plates are scattered, creating little nooks and crannies that are absolutely packed with life. You’ll find plenty of inquisitive wrasse darting in and out, their colours surprisingly vibrant against the dark metal. Ling often lurk under the larger plates, and we’ve spotted a few decent-sized edible crabs scuttling around too. It's a fantastic site for macro, with lots of nudibranchs clinging to the older timbers. Our favourite part is navigating through the larger sections of plating, imagining the ship as she once was. It’s a site that rewards slow exploration, perfect for divers who enjoy piecing together history rather than just swimming over a giant structure. Visibility here can be a bit variable, but on a good day, with a gentle swell, the light filtering through makes the whole scene feel quite atmospheric. It’s also a relatively shallow dive, making for good bottom time.

Location

Northumberland & Northeast, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe

Coordinates

53.386650, -2.998154

Type

wreck

Maximum Depth

16m

Marine Protected Area: New Ferry