wreck

Log This Dive

NAILSEA RIVER

The Nailsea River, a substantial steamship, sits upright and largely intact, a real treat for those who appreciate a proper wreck dive. Dropping down onto her, you get a tangible sense of scale – 125 metres of wartime history, right there at 52 metres. We love that the three boilers are still prominent, and the triple-expansion engine is a fantastic exploration point. You can poke around her holds, which are often home to some sizeable conger eels, or weave through the superstructure where schooling pollack usually hang out. Visibility here can be hit or miss, typical for the East Coast, but when it's good, say 10 metres, the sheer presence of the Nailsea River is impressive, a sombre reminder of the U-boat war. This one’s definitely for experienced cold water wreck divers comfortable with depth and sometimes challenging conditions, but the rewards are there for the taking.