BEN ATTOW

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 - BEN ATTOW 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 55m

StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

The Ben Attow isn’t a shallow potter, we’ll tell you that much. Dropping onto her takes a bit of commitment, especially when the North Sea decides to be herself. But get down there, and you’re visiting a proper piece of history. This old trawler, built in Aberdeen in 1900, sits upright at 55 metres, a dark silhouette against the murk. We love the way the light filters down, or often just doesn’t, adding to the atmosphere. Her story, mined on her way back to Dundee in 1940, makes the dive feel a bit more poignant. You can still make out the single boiler and the triple-expansion engine, mostly intact, which is always a treat for the mechanical enthusiasts among us. Over the years, she’s become home to some surprisingly vibrant life for a deep wreck in these waters. Expect to see plenty of wrasse darting through the superstructure, conger eels tucked into shadowy corners, and often, some impressive plumose anemones blooming off her plates. It’s a challenging dive, certainly, best suited for experienced divers comfortable with deeper excursions and often limited visibility, but the character of this wreck makes it well worth the effort.

Typical BEN ATTOW 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 55m 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.

Today06:3317:2110h 48m daylightGolden hour 16:30

BEN ATTOW Wreck History

Year Sunk

1940

Vessel Type

fishing vessel

Cause

unknown

The SS Ben Attow was a quintessential Aberdeen steam trawler, built in 1900 by the renowned Hall Russel shipyard. For four decades, she plied the cold, productive waters of the North Sea, a workhorse of the Scottish fishing fleet. Owned by J. Craig of Aberdeen, she was powered by a triple-expansion steam engine, a testament to the engineering of her time. Her career, like that of many vessels, was cut short by the outbreak of the Second World War.

On February 27, 1940, while on a passage from Dundee for a fishing expedition, the Ben Attow met her fate. In the early, dangerous days of the war at sea, many ships were lost to mines or U-boat attacks. While the specific cause isn't listed, it's highly probable she struck a mine. Today, she rests in 55 meters of water off the Scottish coast. This is a challenging technical dive, reserved for experienced, properly equipped divers. Those who make the descent will find the remains of a historic trawler, a silent monument to the perils faced by civilian sailors during wartime.