Wrecks
July 7th, 2008Work in progress
- 115: The M483
We're staying with those popular German warships, and this one has quite a history. It's one for the more experienced among you, says John Liddiard , and it's in the Channel Islands. Illustration by Max Ellis - 114: SMS Dresden II
Already dived the Köln in Scapa Flow? Then you'll enjoy her sister-ship, says John Liddiard - and it's not more of the same, either. Illustration by Max Ellis - 113: The U1021
Here's a classic U-boat dive for deeper divers in clear waters off north Cornwall, with John Liddiard your tour guide and illustration by Max Ellis - 112: The Baron Carnegie
A great dive, yet few people do it - John Liddiard visits deep dark Pembrokeshire and the deep dark wreck of a 3178-ton steamship between Fishguard and Stumble Head. Illustration by Max Ellis - 111: The Castle Eden
This steam collier, sunk towards the end of World War One, lies off the north of Ireland and offers plenty to see in good visibility, says John Liddiard . Illustration by Max Ellis - 110: The Hera
At last, you cry, a big sailing ship to get our teeth into! And this one, off Falmouth, is also shallow enough to let everyone get a taste, says John Liddiard . Illustration by Max Ellis - 109: The Betsy Anna
This Victorian collier wreck out of Swanage will provide a good experience for most levels of diver, says John Liddiard . Illustration by Max Ellis - 108: HMS Patia
Off the North-east of England, this Wreck Tour ventures deeper than ever before, but it's to explore an unusual wartime casualty and is well worth the effort, says John Liddiard . Illustration by Max Ellis - 107: The Thracian
Most sailing-ship wrecks retain too little detail to warrant the full Wreck Tour treatment, but John Liddiard and illustrator Max Ellis have come up with a Christmas double-header - one Victorian sailing ship in Pembrokeshire, another in the Isle of Man, and both really nice dives! - 106: The Highland Home
Most sailing-ship wrecks retain too little detail to warrant the full Wreck Tour treatment, but John Liddiard and illustrator Max Ellis have come up with a Christmas double-header - one Victorian sailing ship in Pembrokeshire, another in the Isle of Man, and both really nice dives! - 105: The Saracen
The sinking of this French steamer off Brittany in 1917, reportedly by a long-vanished U-boat, was part of a great WW1 mystery. John Liddiard conducts the tour, illustration by Max Ellis - 104: The Unity
This month brings a tour of a small wreck with a big reputation on Scotland's east coast - a trawler that sank in the 1990s. John Liddiard leads the tour. Illustration by Max Ellis - 103: The Cairndhu
It's back to England and the easily accessible wreck of the Cairndhu off Sussex for this month's tour. At 29m down, it's a wreck most divers can enjoy, says John Liddiard . Illustration by Max Ellis - 102: The Hunsdon
This month's tour off Northern Ireland is a bit of an oddity - a German-built ship torpedoed by a German submarine. John Liddiard reports, illustration by Max Ellis - 101: The Iolanthe
This WW1 victim provides a deeper wreck than some off Dorset, so you're less likely to have to share it with the masses. It's well worth a visit, says John Liddiard - and Max Ellis felt it was well worth an illustration - 100: The Hathor & Plympton
This tour is a double treat, as John Liddiard samples two wrecks rolled into one South-west dive site suitable for all levels of diving. Both John and illustrator Max Ellis complete their 100th Wreck Tours this month. - 99: The Elsa
This is a big steamship, torpedoed off south Devon in 1918 but still in impressive condition, says our tour-guide John Liddiard . Illustration by Max Ellis - 98: The Kimya
This 1990s storm victim is easy to find and can be enjoyed by divers of all levels if conditions are right. John Liddiard reports on the ship that leaked sunflower oil, with Illustration by Max Ellis - 97: The Acclivity
This colourful adventure playground, a small tanker off Northumberland, is just the right size to explore at its depth, says John Liddiard . Illustration by Max Ellis - 96: The Rosehill
Lying in the shadow of its big-name neighbours off south Cornwall, this coal-carrying steamer, a U-boat victim from World War One, is too often neglected by divers, says John Liddiard . Illustration by Max Ellis - 95: The Amberley
Sunk off Norfolk in 1973 and the scene of an epic helicopter rescue, this is a shallow intact wreck with enough on it to engage everyone when conditions are right, says John Liddiard . Illustration by Max Ellis . - 94: The San Tiburcio
This armed tanker sunk in WW2 in the Moray Firth makes for a great club outing, says John Liddiard .. Illustration by Max Ellis . - 93: The Baygitano
This armed collier torpedoed in 16-22m off Lyme Regis during World War One makes for a great afternoon dive, says John Liddiard . Illustration by Max Ellis . - 92: The Zaanstrom
A ride out from Littlehampton, it's the engineering that makes this china-clay-carrying steamer so distinctive, says John Liddiard . Illustration by Max Ellis - 91: The Fairweather V
This sunken trawler off Scotland's Summer Isles makes for a very easy and attractive diving experience - if you're up for the journey. John Liddiard leads the tour, leaving Max Ellis to bring his sketches to life - 90: The King Cadwallon
This is a centenary Wreck Tour, because we publish it 100 years to the day since the steamer King Cadwallon sank off the Scilly Isles. John Liddiard reports, Max Ellis draws. - 89: The Vigsnes
It's not easy to pronounce, but it's an intact WW2 U-boat victim lying off north-west Wales with lots for divers to see, says John Liddiard Illustration by Max Ellis - 88: The Arfon
He can't resist them - this month John Liddiard takes us on a tour of another armed trawler, which struck a mine and sank off the Dorset coast in 1917. Illustration by Max Ellis - 87: The Clyde - or Spyros
One iron steamer, one steel, both built in 1880 and both destined to sink off the Isle of Wight, but which wreck has John Liddiard been diving? The clues must surely be there. . Illustration by Max Ellis - 86: The Saxon Briton
A petrol-carrier sunk off Cornwall in 1917 by the most ruthless of U-boat commanders makes for a diverting dive; reports John Liddiard. says John Liddiard . Illustration by Max Ellis - 85: The Lochgarry
One of Northern Ireland's most popular wrecks, a ferry that was working as a troopship when she was sunk in World War Two, lies near Rathlin Island. The wreck's bathroom fittings are just part of the attraction, says John Liddiard . Illustration by Max Ellis - 84: The Ringwall
Located off the Isle of Man, this wreck represents a slice of history, as one of the last steam coasters and one of the first mine-laying U-boat victims. John Liddiard leads the tour. Illustration by Max Ellis - 83: The Gefion
This cargo vessel, torpedoed by UB40 off east Devon during WW1, lies in 32m and offers plenty of "engineering" for divers to enjoy, reports John Liddiard . Illustration by Max Ellis - 82: The Vendome
The collier Vendome sank off Strumble Head, west Wales way back in 1888 and makes a good no-stop dive, says John Liddiard - if you can find it. Illustration by Max Ellis - 81: The M343
How often do you get the chance to dive a German surface warship in the Channel? John Liddiard provides a tempting taster. Illustration by Max Ellis - 80: The Alastor
This 1930s motor yacht hit the news last year when her true identity was revealed. John Liddiard travels to Northern Ireland to dive this rich man's toy. Illustration by Max Ellis - 79: The Cita
When the man on watch allowed this cargo vessel to hit the rocks eight years ago, it was bad news for insurers but great news for divers and Scilly Islanders in need of ceramic toothbrush-holders and other goodies, says John Liddiard . Illustration by Max Ellis - 78: The Liverpool
It's a fair way out into the Irish Sea, but this 1890s steamship and U-boat victim still packed with equipment is well worth a look, says John Liddiard . Illustration by Max Ellis - 77: HMS Northcoates
This armed trawler is a big attraction for divers off Sussex, and rightly so, says John Liddiard. Max Ellis drew the picture - 76: The Shadwan
This shallow steamer wreck sank in Berwick Bay in Victorian times but still holds mysteries for divers to solve, as John Liddiard explains. Illustration by Max Ellis - 75: The Glocliffe
A classic merchant steamer sunk in the Channel during World War One, the Glocliffe offers an intact experience for divers willing to do a little deco, says John Liddiard . Illustration by Max Ellis - 74: Thomas Vaughan
There's plenty to explore on this British steamer off Pembrokeshire, and it's accessible in most weathers, says John Liddiard . Illustration by Max Ellis - 73: The Jambo
It's way up in Scotland's Summer Isles, but the zinc-carrying coaster Jambo is one of Britain's most recent maritime casualties and well worth a visit, says John Liddiard . Illustration by Max Ellis - 72: The City Of Waterford
A steamship that sank off Beachy Head in Sussex in 1949 offers divers something sizeable, easy to navigate and a little out of the ordinary, says John Liddiard . Illustration by Max Ellis - 71: The Verona
A fast luxury yacht with guns - the Verona is an intriguing prospect, says John Liddiard . Mined in 1917, it lies in 39m out from Lossiemouth. Illustration by Max Ellis - 70: HMS Empress Of India
A real piece of history, this semi-deep wreck was once a landmark in battleship design - yet she was sunk deliberately just before WW1. John Liddiard conducts the underwater tour. . Illustration by Max Ellis - 69: The Virginian
This steam-trawler survived two world wars only to be mown down by a much bigger Empire ship in 1946. Yorkshire fishing's loss was divers' gain, says John Liddiard . Illustration by Max Ellis - 68: The Ardlough
This German freighter sank off Anglesey just 16 years ago and it can now be enjoyed in different ways by advanced and less-advanced divers alike, says John Liddiard . Illustration by Max Ellis - 67: The Enrico Parodi
This steam collier grounded off north Cornwall in 1916 and makes for an interesting dive if you don't mind a little deco, says John Liddiard . Illustration by Max Ellis - 66: The Ashbury
You'll have to travel about as far north as you can go in mainland Scotland to dive this tramp steamer, one of World War Two's worst casualties through natural causes. John Liddiard looks for the big picture. Illustration by Max Ellis - 65: The Ashford
The steamer Ashford out of Brighton is more than 120 years old - which means that it has some interesting features for divers to enjoy, says John Liddiard . Illustration by Max Ellis - 64: HMS Scylla
We interrupt this series to bring you a wreck that sank only recently and, thanks to kind March weather, did so right on time and in place. The Scylla is the UK's first artificial reef and John Liddiard was keen to give it a try Illustration by Max Ellis - 63: The Tapti
It's a bit of a run out of Scotland's west coast centres, says John Liddiard , but much remains to be seen on this rarely dived casualty from a storm in 1951 Illustration by Max Ellis - 62: The James Eagan Layne
"And about time!" you cry. Why has it taken Diver so long to get round to one of Britain's most popular wrecks? John Liddiard explains our tortured thinking in a specially extended springtime Wreck Tour Illustration by Max Ellis - 61: The Sesame
If you're out in the Channel, this armed tugboat sunk in the aftermath of D-Day makes for a stimulating dive, says John Liddiard Illustration by Max Ellis - 60: The St Jacques
Who's been messing about with the buoy? This French steamer wreck out of Milford Haven might be hard to pin down, says John Liddiard , but the reward is a cracking dive with an intact condenser into the bargain. Illustration by Max Ellis - 59: Fenella Ann
How often do you get the chance to dive an intact wooden wreck in the UK? John Liddiard has a nice little Manx trawler in mind. Illustration by Max Ellis - 58: The Buccaneer
During gunnery practice, it's accepted custom to aim for the target rather than the tugboat that's towing it. The Buccaneer fell victim to a gunner who got things back-to-front, but the Admiralty's loss is the diver's gain, says John Liddiard Illustration by Max Ellis - 57: The Knivverstone Wrecks
To the Farne Islands we go to sort out a jumble of steamship wreckage that came to grief on a treacherous reef. You'll need your wits about you on this one, says John Liddiard Illustration by Max Ellis - 56: The Warwick deeping
This WW2 armed trawler off the Isle of Wight makes a perfect club dive - small enough to see in one go but with plenty to hold the interest, says John Liddiard Illustration by Max Ellis - 55: HMS Umpire
Behind this WW2 British submarine wreck off Norfolk lies a tale of heroism, and though it has been salvaged there is still plenty for divers to appreciate, says John Liddiard Illustration by Max Ellis - 54: The James Barrie
Scapa Flow is renowned the world over for its warship wrecks. So why go there to dive a fishing boat? Because, says John Liddiard , it's there and it makes a fine dive Illustration by Max Ellis - 53: The Segontium
This mussel-dredger lying off Anglesey makes an appealing prospect for an all-levels club outing, says John Liddiard . Illustration by Max Ellis - 52: The Persier
A great South Devon favourite, this Belgian steamship went down packed with provisions in 1945. John Liddiard takes us on a zig-zag wander. Illustration by Max Ellis - 51: Light Vessel 83
It might take some finding, but an intact lightship inexplicably rammed and sunk in the North Sea is a rare treat indeed, says John Liddiard . Illustration by Max Ellis - 50: The Hinrich Hey
For a steam trawler, this German wreck parked in the Channel was armed to the teeth. John Liddiard finds that all those guns can be a distraction. . Illustration by Max Ellis - 49: The Heidrun
If you have dived this Norwegian steamer, sunk off Cornwall in 1918, you might have entered it under a different name in your logbook. John Liddiard explains all. Illustration by Max Ellis - 48: The Shuna
This steamer that sank 90 years ago is the most intact in the Sound of Mull, but you may need to get there early, says John Liddiard . Illustration by Max Ellis - 47: The Kyarra
A great British favourite finally gets its turn in the spotlight this month, as John Liddiard looks at a liner that sank during WW1 off Swanage laden with perfume, watches, champagne - and lots of brass. Illustration by Max Ellis - 46: The Brummer
This German light cruiser, which took more than its share of scalps in WW2, makes for a Scapa Flow wreck dive that's a little different, according to John Liddiard Illustration by Max Ellis - 45: The Britannia
Brave the currents off the Farne Islands to enjoy the remnants of this colourful steamer with a touch of mystery, says John Liddiard Illustration by Max Ellis - 44: The Kléber
He isn't one for wild over-statements, but John Liddiard rates this French cruiser in the Channel as one of his all-time favourites Illustration by Max Ellis - 43: The Borgny
This Norwegian steamer sank in the Solent in 1918 and it deserves to be more often dived than it is, says John Liddiard Illustration by Max Ellis - 42: The Iberian
It's a bit out of the way, and more than a bit broken up, but the Iberian is a 19th century casualty that repays investigation, says John Liddiard Illustration by Max Ellis - 41: The Kylemore
Her wheels had already been turning through 43 years and two world wars when this Victorian paddle-steamer was bombed off Norfolk. John Liddiard recommends a visit Illustration by Max Ellis - 40: The St Dunstan
Fancy a change? The St Dunstan is a rather nice but often overlooked bucket-dredger, says John Liddiard . It sank in Lyme Bay in 1917, after striking a mine Illustration by Max Ellis - 39: The Doris
A huge pile of steel steamship at a site where the viz can be exceptional - that's Skye's Doris , says John Liddiard Illustration by Max Ellis - 38: The St Chamond
Calling all train-spotters, grab your tanks and slates and head for the West Country! There's a wreck down there you have to see, says John Liddiard Illustration by Max Ellis - 37: The Behar
The victim of German mines in 1940, this big merchant steamer that sank off Pembrokeshire is a good all-rounder, says John Liddiard Illustration by Max Ellis - 36: The Basil
Bristling with ammo and packing a gun, this WW1 munitions ship deserves more than to be a second-string dive, says John Liddiard Illustration by Max Ellis - 35: The Rondo
Easy to find, this steamship lying nose-down in Scotland's Sound of Mull since the 1930s is a highlight for visiting divers. John Liddiard takes us round it. Illustration by Max Ellis - 34: The Lord Stewart
This merchant steamship went down fast from a torpedo strike at the end of WWI, and remains intact off Devon. John Liddiard knows his way around it, and so can you. Illustration by Max Ellis - 33: The Kronprinz Wilhlem
One of Scapa Flow's legendary giant battleships, it's too big to hurry, but John Liddiard explains how to get a good overview. Illustration by Max Ellis - 32: The Christensen
Now for something cmpletely different - John Liddiard takes us round a Victorian steel-hulled sailing barque. Illustration by Max Ellis - 31: The Oregon
Now for something completely different - John Liddiard takes us round a Victorian steel-hulled sailing barque. Illustration by Max Ellis - 30: The Kos XVI
It's a long way out and on the deep side, but how often do you get the chance to savour an intact minesweeper? asks John Liddiard Illustration by Max Ellis - 29: The Turquoise
For the first time we venture abroad, though within easy striking distance of the South Coast, says John Liddiard , to dive an unusual WWII coaster sunk by an equally novel gunboat, Illustration by Max Ellis - 28: The Nicolaou Virginia
When this Greek steamer was holed off Pembrokeshire, it started one of the longest lifeboat rescues on record. Now it's a great novice dive, says John Liddiard Illustration by Max Ellis - 27: The Aeolian Sky
When she sank in the Channel 22 years ago, this big Greek freighter made the headlines. John Liddiard has witnessed the wreck's picturesque degeneration. Illustration by Max Ellis - 26: The Gascony
If you're looking for a tour off Sussex, John Liddiard knows just the torpedoed steamer to recommend Illustration by Max Ellis - 25: The Thesis
You can drift onto the attractive wreckage of this iron steamer, which sank in the Sound of Mull in 1889, at any state of the tide. That's what John Liddiard does. Illustration by Max Ellis - 24: The Volnay
He first dived it a long time back - this Cornish wreck provided John Liddiard 's first wreck experience, and that of many other divers. Illustration by Max Ellis - 23: The Witte Zee
This intact tugboat wreck off the Isle of Wight is just the right size for a good one-off dive, says John Liddiard Illustration by Max Ellis - 22: The Gobernadore Bories
After 33 years of freighting and Antarctic whaling and 85 years in Scapa Flow, this blockship is a relative marvel of preservation, as John Liddiard reports Illustration by Max Ellis - 21: The Bretagne
A favourite with divers in Devon is this anemone-covered steamship that sank at the close of WW1. John Liddiard reports Illustration by Max Ellis - 20: The Chadwick
This cargo steamer sank off Skye 108 years ago, but it comes alive for divers, says John Liddiard , especially when the sun is shining Illustration by Max Ellis - 19: The Dakotian
Plenty to explore on this British steamer off Pembrokeshire, and it's accessible in most weathers, says John Liddiard Illustration by Max Ellis - 18: The Stanegarth
It led a quiet life, but Britain's newest wreck could soon become its most dived - John Liddiard reports from Stoney Cove Illustration by Max Ellis - 17: The Gwladmena
It's a long way to go, but this sunken steamship is well worth a visit, says John Liddiard Just watch out for the phosphorous and jellyfish! Illustration by Max Ellis - 16: The Murree
It was women and children first when this huge Pakistani freighter sank in the English Channel - only they weren't supposed to be there! John Liddiard visits the scene some 10 years on Illustration by Max Ellis - 15: The Longwy
This early 20th century French steamship has plenty to interest divers, but because of its position in the Lower Clyde you won't find yourself crowded out, says John Liddiard . Illustration by Max Ellis - 14: The Köln
This warship's fighting history might have been unimpressive, says John Liddiard , but as a wreck it is the most intact of all the German Fleet at Scapa Flow Illustration by Max Ellis - 13: The Somali
Is this WWII cargo wreck off Northumberland so popular because its "much-rummaged" hold still turns up such interesting items? John Liddiard conducts the tour. Illustration by Max Ellis - 12: The Port Napier
An unusual combination of factors makes this WWII mine-layer, which lies close to the Skye Bridge, difficult to resist. That's John Liddiard 's view. Illustration by Max Ellis - 11: The Salsette
The Best Wreck Dive in Britain - that is the P&O liner Salsette, which lies 43m deep in Lyme Bay. Few wreck-divers will disagree with that top rating, so John Liddiard makes it the first ship in the year 2000 to feature in Diver's inimitable Wreck Tour. Illustration by Max Ellis - 10: The UC-70
It's not often that divers can get up close to a WW1 U-boat in such good condition - John Liddiard gets in some firsts in Yorkshire. Illustration by Max Ellis - 9: The Breda
The Breda easily qualifies as Scotland's most-dived wreck, and it is not hard to see why. It is reasonably intact, conveniently located near Oban and sheltered from most bad weather. The wreck is so popular that local dive centres maintain up to three buoys on the Breda, one at the bows, one amidships, and one at the stern. - 8: The Mohegan
The flattened wreckage of this ship, spread across the seafloor, is a testament to its violent and tragic end. John Liddiard dives the 19th-century liner Illustration by Max Ellis - 7: The Hood
Scuppered across an entrance to Portland Harbour as a defence mechanism in World War One, this wreck landed upside-down and, as John Liddiard reports, now makes an interesting dive for all abilities Illustration by Max Ellis - 6: The stassa
In a remote location in the Western Isles there lies the intact wreck of a 1950s steamship. John Liddiard explores Illustration by Max Ellis - 5: The M2
Having defied an 11-month salvage attempt after its sinking, this undamaged and unique wreck has become a popular dive site in the waters of Lyme Bay. Frequent visitor John Liddiard reveals his route. Illustration by Max Ellis - 4: City of Westminster
Diving one of the most spectacular wrecks in the South-west, John Liddiard guides us through the ship's much-scattered remains Illustration by Max Ellis - 3: The Lucy
One of the most dived wrecks in Wales lies off the coast of Pembrokeshire by Skomer Island. John Liddiard shows us around. Illustration by Max Ellis - 2: The Hispania
This month John Liddiard is up in Scotland for an absorbing dive in the Sound of Mull. Illustration by Max Ellis - 1: The Maine
In the first of a major new series, John Liddiard guides us round one of Devon's most popular wreck sites. Illustration by Max Ellis