wreck

Log This Dive

ROYAL CHARTER

The Royal Charter, a clipper with an auxiliary engine, now rests in just four metres of water off the Northumberland coast. While it went down way back in 1859, the wreck still holds a real sense of history. You'll find scattered hull plates and sections of her iron structure, all heavily encrusted with plumose anemones, dead man's fingers, and plenty of kelp. It's a shallow, relatively protected dive, making it a good choice when the weather elsewhere is a bit too lively, and it's perfect for newer wreck divers looking to get a feel for submerged history without deep penetration or strong currents. Look closely amongst the debris for blennies and small crabs sheltering in the nooks.