PRINCESS MAUD - Scottish East Coast & Borders

The Princess Maud, for us, is a proper slice of Scottish history, sitting upright and surprisingly intact in a modest 14 metres. We’ve always appreciated a wreck you can really get a sense of, and this steamship delivers. You can trace her lines from bow to stern, spotting the anchor chains still running out, and the impressive boilers standing proud amidships. What we really love here is the way the wreck has become an artificial reef, almost immediately after her sinking in 1918. Expect to see wolf fish peeking out from under plating, a decent chance of spotting a conger eel, and the hold-fasts covered in plumose anemones, their white tentacles swaying in the gentle surge. It’s a relatively shallow dive, making bottom time plentiful, and the intact structure means even in average visibility, you’re always bumping into something interesting. Our pick is always to head for the stern first, before working your way forward, as the light often catches the wheelhouse area just right. It’s a dive that suits anyone comfortable in a drysuit and a little chill, offering a tangible connection to wartime history and a thriving artificial reef.

Location

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

Coordinates

55.283386, -1.401629

Type

wreck

Maximum Depth

14m

Marine Protected Area: Northumbria Coast