Wreck of Williams - Northumberland & Northeast

The Wreck of Williams off the Northumberland coast is one of those sites that just has character, even on a day when the North Sea decides to be particularly moody. We’ve done this dive when the surface chop made the boat ride feel like a rodeo, but once you drop, it’s often surprisingly calm around the wreck itself. What makes it special for us isn't just the history – this old cargo ship, sunk in the early 1900s, is a testament to the sea's power – but how it’s become a home. The stern section is our favourite part, with its exposed propeller shaft and those gaping holds that just beg for exploration. You’ll often find conger eels tucked away in the darker corners, their heads poking out from under twisted metal. Schools of cod and pollock will cruise through the superstructure, sometimes so thick you have to fin around them. We’d suggest a good torch here, not just for the darker sections, but to really bring out the colours on the anemones and dead man’s fingers that cling to the steel. Visibility can be hit or miss, typical for the North Sea, but even on a greener day, the wreck stands out, a dark silhouette against the murk, inviting you in. This site is a proper wreck dive, best suited for those comfortable with overhead environments and a bit of current, which can sometimes sweep across the deck.

Location

Northumberland & Northeast, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe

Coordinates

54.963127, -5.184521

Type

wreck

Marine Protected Area: Corsewall Point to Milleur Point