wreck

Log This Dive

MEG MERRILEES

The Meg Merrilees isn’t one of those wrecks where you’re picking through splinters, trying to imagine the ship. This is a proper dive, sitting upright in 18 metres off Canning Dock, and it’s surprisingly intact for a vessel sunk back in 1876. We love how much of the original structure remains – the bow points resolutely upriver, with ribs and deck beams still forming a recognisable shape. Drop down and you’ll find yourself in a world of history and surprisingly busy marine life. Conger eels love the dark corners within the hull, and we’ve seen some hefty ones tucked away. Lobsters are also pretty common, peering out from beneath collapsed sections of plating. The visibility here can be a bit variable, typical for a river wreck, so pick a slack tide for the best experience. It's a fantastic dive for those who appreciate seeing the bones of a ship rather than just a debris field, and for divers keen on exploring the nooks and crannies. We think it’s a brilliant peek into the industrial past of the Tyne.