wreck

Log This Dive

PRESTONIAN

Prestonian, down in Scapa Flow, is one of those shallow wrecks we keep coming back to. Eight metres is hardly deep, but the conditions are often just right for a long, relaxed potter around a piece of history. We’re talking about a steamship from 1901, and she met her end in 1915, so there's plenty of story here. Drop onto her and you’re immediately struck by the sheer scale of the hull, largely intact, resting on its side. You can easily follow the lines of the deck, and we love peeking into the cargo holds, often filled with shoals of small pollack darting through the gloom. The boiler is a real focal point, big and round, now home to dozens of squat lobsters clinging to its rivets, and if you’re patient, you’ll spot a few inquisitive wrasse nosing about. Visibility here can swing, but when it’s good, the light penetrates beautifully, picking out the anemones and soft corals that have made this wreck their own. It’s an ideal dive for anyone looking to spend time exploring without the pressure of depth or strong current. A gentle dive with a big payoff.