Wreck of William Penn

Protected Area

Mull of Galloway

Why dive here

With 118+ marine species recorded in the area - including dolphins, dwarf minke whales, humpback whales, ocean sunfish (mola mola) and orcas - Wreck of William Penn offers some of Northumberland & Northeast's richest wreck diving.

Marine lifeDolphins, Dwarf Minke Whales, Humpback Whales, Ocean Sunfish (Mola Mola) and Orcas · 118+ species recorded

CharacterWreck dive

StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

The William Penn wreck, out here in the North Sea, is one of those dives that sticks with you, a proper slab of history on the seabed. She was a steamer, sank back in 1917 after a run-in with a mine, and she’s settled upright, largely intact. We love how her bow rises from the gloom, still so purposeful after all these years. Drop down and you’re immediately into her structure – the boilers are huge, really impressive, and they’re covered in dead man's fingers and anemones. The swim-throughs here are excellent, wide enough not to feel claustrophobic, taking you through what would have been her hold spaces. Look out for the resident pollock darting through the superstructure; they’re bold, often coming right up to your mask. On a good day, with a bit of sunlight filtering down, the visibility can be twenty metres, transforming the wreck into this ethereal, almost ghost-like ship. We’d suggest timing your dive for slack water, always, otherwise, the current can be a real push. This isn't a beginner's wreck, but for experienced divers who appreciate history and a bit of a challenge, she’s our favourite in these waters.