HMS WITHERINGTON - Scottish East Coast & Borders

The HMS Witherington isn't a deep dive, sitting at just 10 metres, but don’t let that fool you into thinking it's simple. This old destroyer, built in 1919 and lost on its way to the breaker's yard in 1947, is remarkably intact for a wreck of its age in these waters. We love how the bow points resolutely north, giving you a real sense of its former direction of travel, even in its final resting place. You’ll find its 95-metre length spread across the seabed, turbines and twin shafts still visible, and the hull plating, while deteriorating, still offers plenty to explore. Schools of small pollack often drift through the superstructure, and we’ve seen some surprisingly large velvet crabs tucked into the nooks and crannies. Our favourite feature is probably the stern, which is surprisingly upright and gives a great sense of the ship’s original profile. This is a brilliant site for newer wreck divers or those looking for a longer bottom time to really soak in the history without the pressure of depth. Just be mindful of local currents, which can pick up, especially on a spring tide.

Location

Scottish East Coast & Borders, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe

Coordinates

55.010117, -1.400367

Type

wreck

Maximum Depth

10m

Marine Protected Area: Tynemouth to Seaton Sluice