MARY JANE - Northumberland & Northeast

Forget dramatic drops and swim-throughs here. The Mary Jane, a barge sunk back in 1887, sits in a mere two metres of water, but don't let the shallows fool you. We love this site for its sheer accessibility and the sense of history that lingers, even after it was dispersed as a "dangerous wreck." What remains is a scatter of timbers and hull plating, a low-profile skeletal outline that truly comes alive when the light is right. We'd suggest a calm day with good sun, ideally around high slack tide, when the water has a chance to settle and you can really make out the structure. We’ve spent many an hour here just tracing the lines of the old vessel, picturing it full of cargo. The timbers themselves are encrusted with anemones, a vibrant orange against the dark wood, and small crabs scuttle through the crevices. It’s a perfect spot for macro enthusiasts or new divers looking to get comfortable with wreck diving without the pressure of depth. Visibility can vary, but even on a murkier day, poking around the ribs of the Mary Jane offers a quiet satisfaction. Our favourite part? Spotting the tiny blennies darting amongst the barnacles, making their homes in the ghost of this old barge.

Location

Northumberland & Northeast, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe

Coordinates

53.383316, -2.991350

Type

wreck

Maximum Depth

2m

Marine Protected Area: New Ferry