BOYNE CASTLE - Scottish East Coast & Borders

Boyne Castle, now that’s a proper dive. At 59 metres, it’s certainly not for everyone, but if you’re tech-qualified, this steamship is an absolute beauty. We love the way she sits upright on the seabed, almost as if she just decided to stop for a rest. Dropping down, you’ll start to pick out the distinct silhouette of her single boiler and the compound expansion engine. There's a real sense of history here, the wood of the decking long gone, leaving the skeletal steel structure for you to explore. The visibility can be a bit hit-and-miss, typical for Scottish waters, but when it's good, you can appreciate the sheer size of her – 35.7 metres of pure history. Our favourite part has to be the stern, where you can often find conger eels peering out from gaps in the plating, and the prop shaft tunnel is an interesting swim-through if you’re careful. Keep an eye out for inquisitive wrasse darting in and out of the nooks and crannies. We’d suggest picking a slack tide for the best conditions; otherwise, the current can make navigating the descent line a real workout. This wreck suits divers who appreciate historical integrity and don’t mind a bit of a challenge.

Location
Scottish East Coast & Borders, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
56.108273, -2.068250
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
59m

Wreck History - BOYNE CASTLE

Year Sunk
1917
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
torpedo
Tonnage
227 GRT

The SS Boyne Castle was a small steamship built in 1909 by the Dundee Shipbuilding Co. for the Banffshire Steam Shipping Co. For years, she plied the coastal routes of the United Kingdom, a typical workhorse of her era. With the outbreak of the First World War, these merchant vessels became prime targets for Germany's U-boat fleet. On February 7, 1917, while on passage, the Boyne Castle's fate was sealed when it was attacked and sunk by a torpedo from the German submarine UC-47, captained by Paul Hundius.

Resting at a depth of 59 meters off the Scottish East Coast, the Boyne Castle is a classic WWI wreck that demands technical diving certification and experience. The depth has helped preserve the wreck from the worst of the sea's effects, and divers can explore a vessel frozen in time for over a century. Highlights of the dive include the ship's single boiler and compound expansion engine, which stand proud of the seabed. Exploring this casualty of war offers a somber reminder of the conflict that once raged in these now-peaceful waters.

Marine Protected Area: St Abb`s Head to Fast Castle

Nearby Dive Sites in Scottish East Coast & Borders

Nearest Dive Centres to BOYNE CASTLE

Marine Life in Scottish East Coast & Borders

Home to 126 recorded species including 53 reef fish, 12 whales & dolphins, 10 seagrass & algae, 10 sharks & rays, 9 crabs & lobsters, 8 other.

Notable Species