wreck

Log This Dive

ATHELDUKE (PART)

The Athelduke, she’s a proper monster down there, a deep dive for sure at 55 metres, but what a reward. We’re talking about a huge tanker, 121 metres long, and the sheer scale of it hits you as you descend through that often-murky Scottish water. It’s a site for experienced wreck hounds, those who appreciate the silence and the chill of the deep, and who don’t mind getting down there for a proper look around. What we love most about the Athelduke is the intact stern. Those twin bronze propellers are still there, surprisingly clean despite the decades on the seabed, and they just glow under a torch beam. The whole aft section is fantastic for exploration, with plenty of nooks and crannies to peer into, though penetration is for the properly trained. Look for the wolf fish lurking in the deeper recesses, and the massive ling that seem to own certain parts of the wreck. It’s a big canvas for marine life, with plumose anemones carpeting sections and providing a splash of colour against the rusted steel. The visibility can be challenging, even for the East Coast, so pick a day with minimal swell and aim for slack water to truly appreciate her. Our favourite part is navigating the upper deck structures, imagining the ship in her working days, before she met her end in 1945. It’s a humbling experience.