wreck

Log This Dive

CHAMPION

The Champion is a real charmer. We’ve always had a soft spot for this tug, sunk in a collision with the SS Caledonia back in 1913. She sits upright at 35m, not too deep for a comfortable decompression, and she's pretty much intact, which is what we love most about her. You can fin right around her, imagining the chaos of that day, the spray, the shouts. We often find her shrouded in a slight murk, which only adds to the atmosphere, the visibility frequently around the 5-meter mark, but sometimes you hit a calm, clear day. Her wheelhouse is gone, but the engine room is open to exploration for those properly trained and equipped. Inside, you’ll find squat lobsters tucked into every crevice, and plumose anemones practically carpet the bulkheads, swaying gently in the current. Look for dogfish resting on the deck sometimes, almost perfectly camouflaged against the dark metal. It’s a proper dive into history, a little melancholy, but utterly captivating.