AVONDALE PARK (POSSIBLY)

Protected Area

Isle of May

Why dive here

With 112+ marine species recorded in the area - including dolphins, dwarf minke whales, humpback whales, ocean sunfish (mola mola) and orcas - AVONDALE PARK (POSSIBLY) offers some of Scottish East Coast & Borders's richest wreck diving.

Marine lifeDolphins, Dwarf Minke Whales, Humpback Whales, Ocean Sunfish (Mola Mola) and Orcas · 112+ species recorded

CharacterWreck dive · max 51m

StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

The Avondale Park, now there's a wreck with a story, even if it is a slightly melancholic one. Sunk just a day before VE Day in 1945, this Canadian-built steamship lies upright at 51m, a solemn monument to the war’s final hours. We love how intact she is, despite the depth. You can clearly trace her lines, the stern section particularly impressive with her rudder and propeller still in place, often draped in kelp like a tattered flag. Descending onto the Avondale Park is like entering a vast, dim hall. Visibility, while never Caribbean, can be surprisingly good on a calm day, allowing her full 100-metre length to gradually emerge from the gloom. We'd suggest timing your dive for slack water; the currents here can be lively. Our favourite part has to be the twin boilers and that triple-expansion engine. It’s industrial archaeology at its best, and the sheer scale of the machinery is captivating. Look closely for the plumose anemones that cling to every surface, their white frills swaying gently. We’ve also spotted conger eels making homes in the deeper recesses, so keep an eye out for their heads peering from dark corners. This is a dive for experienced wreck enthusiasts who appreciate history and don't mind the chill of the North Sea. It’s a proper expedition, and hugely rewarding.

Typical AVONDALE PARK (POSSIBLY) Dive Profile

Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.

Safety Notes

Maximum depth 51m exceeds recreational limits (40m). Technical diving certification and equipment required.

Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.

Always perform a 3-minute safety stop at 5m before surfacing.

Today06:3317:2210h 48m daylightGolden hour 16:30

AVONDALE PARK (POSSIBLY) Wreck History

Year Sunk

1945

Vessel Type

cargo ship

Cause

torpedo

The SS Avondale Park was a Canadian-built merchant steamship, one of the many "Park" ships constructed during the Second World War as Canada's equivalent to the American Liberty ships. Launched in 1944, she served the Allied war effort, transporting vital supplies across treacherous, U-boat-infested waters. These hardy vessels were the backbone of the merchant navy, and the Avondale Park was dutifully carrying out her role in the final days of the war in Europe.

Tragically, the ship's story ended just hours before peace was declared. On May 7, 1945, less than 24 hours before the official German surrender, the Avondale Park was torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine U-2336 off the coast of Scotland. The attack cost the lives of two crewmen, making the Avondale Park the last British merchant vessel to be sunk by enemy action during the Second World War. Her sinking is a poignant and somber reminder of the conflict's cost, right up to its final moments.

Today, the Avondale Park rests upright in 51 meters of water, a significant and historic dive reserved for experienced technical divers. The wreck is broken in two just forward of the bridge, but remains remarkably intact. Divers can explore the superstructure, holds, and the impressive triple-expansion engine. As a designated war grave, it is a dive that demands respect, offering a powerful connection to the closing chapter of naval warfare in the Atlantic.