Wreck Diving in Dumfries and Galloway
14 diveable wrecks in Dumfries and Galloway, United Kingdom. Depths range from 33–48m.
BATHORI
The steamship Bathori, built in 1892, was discovered stranded in Larbrax Bay on 5th November 1897. Owned by the Royal Hungarian Sea Navigation Company, she was en route to Glasgow with a general cargo from Fiume when she ran aground. For three months, the Bathori endured harsh weather while the Glasgow Salvage Association worked to remove part of her cargo, which included flour, almonds, dried fruit, and sulphur. This cargo was transported to Glasgow by other steamers. On 8th March 1898, the Bathori was successfully refloated and taken to Stranraer for temporary repairs. She finally reached Glasgow on 11th March, where the remaining cargo was unloaded, and she entered dry dock for further repairs. Today, the Bathori lies in the Solway Firth, within the region of Dumfries and Galloway, notable for her triple expansion engine. Her exact condition and diveability are not established.
BEN MAY
The Ben May is notable for her final resting place in East Tarbet Bay, where she lies in a sheltered area at a depth of 20 metres. Originally built as the Ready, she underwent several ownership changes before being renamed Ben May by the Ramsey Steamship Co Ltd. On 14th November 1938, while transporting coal from Workington to Dundrum, the Ben May sprang a leak north of the Isle of Man. Despite the crew's efforts to manage the situation, the vessel was abandoned near the Mull of Galloway. The crew safely reached shore, aided by a motorboat from Drummore. Today, divers exploring the wreck will find her remains well broken on a sandy seabed, featuring notable elements such as her anchor, mast, and remnants of her cargo.
BEN VEG
The Ben Veg, a steel steamship built by Larne Shipbuilding Co Ltd in 1914, began her service with the Ramsey Steamship Co. Ltd. Registered in Ramsey, she carried out her duties in the Irish Sea, surviving the perils of World War One. Despite the renewed threat of U-boats during World War Two, Ben Veg met her end not from enemy action but through a collision. On 22nd May 1941, she was struck by the MV Brittany, a Royal Mail Lines ship, while en route to Whitehaven. Although her crew attempted to save her by diverting to the Isle of Man, rising water forced them to abandon ship. Today, the wreck of the Ben Veg rests upright on a stony seabed in the Solway Firth, with her hull intact but her superstructure missing. Visibility is generally good, enhanced by strong tides that nourish the vibrant marine life covering her remains. The collision damage is still evident on her starboard side.
CHINDWIN
The steam trawler Chindwin, built by Cook Welton & Gemmell of Hull, faced a harrowing ordeal in February 1895. Owned by George Beeching, she encountered severe weather while returning from Colonsay, leading to her stranding in Salt Pan Bay. The crew, trapped by waves, climbed into the rigging and later used a rope to reach the shore. Exhausted and suffering from frostbite, they struggled through snow-covered cliffs to Galdenoch Moor. They eventually found temporary shelter by a manure heap, where they lit a fire for warmth. A local shepherd discovered them the next morning and guided them to safety at Meikle Galdenoch Farm. The wreck was later purchased by Mr. Garscadden of Glasgow, though the success of any salvage operations remains unclear. The Chindwin's remains lie in the Solway Firth, in a region known for other shipwrecks.
CRAGSMAN
The Cragsman, a small steamship built in 1903, was owned by John Kennedy and Sons Ltd and registered in Glasgow. On a voyage from Glasgow to Liverpool in November 1913, she faced a dire situation. After springing a leak off Portpatrick, the crew was unable to manage the incoming water, leading to the extinguishing of her boiler fire. As she drifted uncontrollably in stormy conditions, the eight crew members abandoned ship and successfully rowed to safety at West Tarbet Bay. The Cragsman, left partially submerged near Crammag Head, was battered by westerly gales and declared a total loss. Today, her remains are scattered across a rocky slope in the Solway Firth. Notable features include her boilers and remnants of her granite cargo, which lie among the wreckage in a scattered condition.
DAILY MAIL
The Daily Mail, a steam trawler built for the Boston Deep Sea Fishing & Ice Company, was under the command of skipper Albert Heywood when it encountered trouble. On a foggy night in May 1931, the vessel ran aground at Crammag Head while returning to Fleetwood with a full hold of fish. The crew of 14 was rescued by another trawler, the Tranquil, after an SOS was sent out. Despite initial salvage efforts, bad weather caused further damage, making it uneconomical to refloat the ship. Today, the remains of the Daily Mail lie in shallow waters in Portencorkie Bay, scattered among large rocks and boulders.
EIDSIVA
The Eidsiva's story is marked by the bravery of the Port Logan Rocket Brigade, who played a crucial role in the rescue of her crew. On 1st March 1894, while en route to Ayr to load coal for the West Indies, the wooden barque was caught in a fierce storm. Her tow rope broke, and despite Captain Obsen's efforts to reach Luce Bay, she was driven ashore in Clanyard Bay. The Rocket Brigade quickly arrived, and within thirty minutes, all eleven aboard, including the captain's young son, were safely brought ashore. Local families provided immediate care before they moved to the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Home in Drummore. The aftermath saw the Eidsiva abandoned and stripped of her valuable parts. Today, the wreck lies in the Solway Firth, with remnants of her cargo still present.
ESTRELLA DE CHILE
The wreck of the Estrella de Chile had significant consequences, leading to a Board of Trade inquiry that found the master at fault for errors in judgement. The barque, built by Lawrence Hill & Company in 1867, was lost on the Robin Rigg Sandbank in the Solway Firth, resulting in the tragic death of her first mate, James Napier. She had been carrying a cargo of 890 tons of steel rails destined for Rosario. The vessel became a total wreck after being stranded and battered by severe sea conditions, forcing the crew to take refuge in the rigging. A lifeboat, towed by the tug Seahorse, managed to rescue the remaining 14 crew members. Following the incident, Alfred Gann & Company was contracted to recover the valuable cargo. Today, the wreck lies with notable features such as her anchor and remnants of her cargo still present, though diveability is not established.
GARNET
The steamship Garnet, launched by Scott & Company of Bowling in 1889, was part of a fleet owned by William Robertson. She was powered by a triple expansion steam engine and operated around the British Isles. On 2nd April 1890, Garnet met her fate in thick fog near Cardrain Farm, west of the Mull of Galloway. Captain Johnstone and a Lloyd's agent found her damaged and partially submerged. Despite salvage efforts, a Glasgow Salvage Association representative declared her position hopeless. By mid-April, Garnet was advertised for auction, but her remains still lie at Carrickamickie Point in an exposed area with a rocky seabed. The wreck is scattered in a gully about 10 metres deep, surrounded by kelp and large boulders.
JASPER
The loss of the Jasper had a significant impact due to the disappearance of her entire crew. This tragic event occurred after she ran aground near the Isle of Whithorn in thick fog, leading to her eventual sinking in Portyerrock Bay. The steamship, built by Thomas Seath and Co Ltd., was carrying a cargo of steel rails from Workington to Glasgow when she met her fate. Despite her captain's familiarity with the route, the fog led to navigational errors, causing the ship to strike rocks and lose her rudder and propeller. Today, the wreck lies in the Solway Firth, with her shape still recognisable. Notable features such as her boilers and propeller remain visible, though strong tidal currents and silt present challenges to exploration.
OSWALD
The loss of the steamship Oswald in 1894 was a significant maritime disaster along the Galloway coast, part of a devastating storm that wrecked multiple vessels. The Oswald, a Whitby-registered iron steamship built in 1890, was travelling from Londonderry to Cardiff when she was driven ashore by the storm. Her reduced draught, as she was in ballast, rendered her propeller and rudder ineffective, leading to her being uncontrollable in the severe weather. The wreck was discovered near Port Gill, identified by debris bearing her name. Today, the remains lie in shallow water in the Solway Firth, with only part of the boiler still visible above the seabed. The site experiences strong tidal currents, which can affect conditions around the wreck.
ROMEO
The Romeo, an iron steamship built by Earle’s Shipbuilding and Eng’g Co. in 1881, initially served under T Wilson and Sons Ltd., Hull. She was equipped to carry both first and second class passengers and was powered by a compound steam engine. In 1917, she became part of the Ellerman Wilson Line Ltd. During World War I, she was requisitioned by the Admiralty and tasked with delivering provisions to the British fleet. On 3rd March 1918, while returning to Liverpool in ballast, she was deceived by a German submarine's ruse and torpedoed, causing her to sink rapidly. Of her crew, only three survived. Today, the wreck of the Romeo lies broken in the Solway Firth, with notable features including boilers and a mast. The site is often subject to low visibility due to the muddy seabed.
SOCRATES
The wreck of the Socrates was reported in 1977 near Clanyard Bay, resting among gulleys on a rocky seabed. The site, exposed to wave action, has been extensively salvaged, leaving the boiler as the highest point. Socrates was a steam trawler built in 1906 by Mackie & Thomson in Govan. She was powered by a triple expansion steam engine and had a gross tonnage of 295. On 6 January 1913, while returning to Fleetwood, she ran aground in thick fog and heavy rain. The crew abandoned her as she began to flood and moved to safety onshore. By dawn, Socrates had slipped into deeper water, partially submerged. The Liverpool Salvage Association inspected her but she was never refloated. Her registry was closed that year, and she remains a submerged relic in the Solway Firth.
TRUDA
The steamship Truda, managed by William Smith of Glasgow, met her fate during a fierce storm in February 1903. The vessel was grounded on Barlocco Island in the Solway Firth, Dumfries and Galloway. Captain MacLeod and four crew members survived the ordeal, thanks to the bravery of local men from Kirkcudbright who rowed through treacherous seas to rescue them. Sadly, four crew members drowned, and their bodies were later commemorated with a gravestone in Kirkandrews Old Kirkyard. The Truda was declared a constructive total loss and auctioned in March 1903, likely leading to her dismantling on site. Remnants of the wreck may still lie on the southern side of Barlocco Island.