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WILLIAM H WELCH (STERN SECTION)

The *William H Welch* stern section is a fantastic shallow wreck dive, one we really enjoy when the weather’s a bit rough for deeper trips in Scapa Flow. It’s sitting upright in just a couple of metres of water, so it’s accessible for pretty much anyone – even snorkelers get a good view. You’re exploring the very back of a Liberty Ship, and the scale is still impressive despite the depth. We love finning over the propeller and rudder, which are surprisingly intact and offer great photographic opportunities. The sterncastle itself is quite broken up, but you can still make out the cargo holds and some of the superstructure. What makes this site special, though, isn’t just the history; it’s the life. Even in this meagre depth, the wreck is completely encrusted with plumose anemones, dead man's fingers, and kelp. We've often seen small pollock darting through the rusted metalwork, and the light filtering through the surface creates some lovely dappled effects on the wreck. It’s a completely different vibe from the deeper Scapa Flow wrecks, and a genuinely relaxing dive.