Wreck Diving in Firth of Clyde
17 diveable wrecks in Firth of Clyde, United Kingdom. Depths range from 10–70m.
AARLA
The loss of the Aarla had significant consequences, as her sinking led to a thorough investigation into the potential dangers posed by wartime munitions dumped in the area. The incident highlighted the risks of navigating near these munitions, as well as the importance of maintaining seaworthy conditions and functional lifesaving equipment. The Aarla, a British steam-powered vessel, sank under mysterious circumstances south of Ailsa Craig in June 1947. Despite efforts by the SS Lairdsdale to assist, no survivors were found, and the exact cause of the sinking remains unknown. The wreck has not been located, and the presence of ordnance in the area poses a hazard. The wreck's notable features include her anchor and engine, but diving details are unavailable as her exact location remains elusive.
ANTARES
The sinking of the Antares in 1990 led to significant changes in submarine operations near fishing vessels. The Royal Navy introduced new protocols to ensure safer navigation and communication, reducing the risk of similar incidents. The Antares, a 16.5-metre trawler, was lost after her nets were snagged by HMS Trenchant, a nuclear submarine, resulting in the tragic deaths of her four crew members. The wreck was initially located on the seabed of the Firth of Clyde and later raised. After being displayed at the Scottish Maritime Museum, the vessel was dismantled in 2008 due to maintenance challenges. Today, the wreck site is known for its broken condition and notable features like the propeller and winch, with hazards including collapsing structures.
ARRAN III
The Arran III was a steel steamship built by Ayrshire Dockyard Co Ltd in 1926 for Clyde Cargo Steamers Ltd. She was a familiar sight around the ports and islands of the Firth of Clyde. On a voyage from Ardrishaig with a cargo of empty beer bottles, she encountered a south-easterly gale and ran aground on Sgeir Leathann near Barmore Island. Despite efforts to save her, including a tug sent to assist, the vessel was badly holed and eventually slipped into deeper water as the tide rose, forcing the crew to abandon ship. Today, the wreck lies broken on a rocky seabed, with her stern at 12 metres and her bow at 5 metres. Although substantially salvaged, notable features like some cargo remains can still be seen. Access to the site is possible by shore or boat, with the wreck lying on its port side, showing parts of the stern, keel, and main ribs still intact.
AUSTRIA
The wreck of the steamship Austria underscored the necessity for improved navigational aids in the Firth of Clyde. Her grounding on Ailsa Craig in 1884 highlighted the dangers of poor visibility in the area, prompting the completion of a lighthouse and foghorn on the island just two years later. Austria, built by H S Edwards and Sons and launched in 1884, was on a voyage from Fuime to Glasgow when she ran aground due to navigational errors by her captain and second mate. The subsequent inquiry led to the suspension of their master's certificates. The wreck, heavily salvaged and broken, lies scattered off the south coast of Ailsa Craig. While her remains are identifiable, the exact extent of the wreckage is uncertain, with debris found at varying depths. The site includes remnants of her cargo, but diving conditions and accessibility are not established.
BEAGLE
The Beagle, a steamship built by Messers Tod & McGregor in 1864, was primarily engaged in passenger and cargo transport between Belfast and Glasgow. On 8th November 1865, she collided with the steamer Napoli near Skate Point, Great Cumbrae. The impact tore through her port side, leading to rapid flooding. Fortunately, all crew members were rescued by the tug Pearl, which was nearby. Despite the swift rescue, the Beagle sank within nine minutes. Today, her wreck lies broken on the seabed of the Firth of Clyde. Notable features include her anchor, boilers, and propeller, though silt and a collapsing structure present hazards. The wreck is marked on Admiralty charts, with visibility typically ranging between 4-5 metres, influenced by tides and weather conditions.
BELLEVUE
The Bellevue is notable for her unusual resting position, with her stern section pointing skyward from the seabed. This orientation is believed to be the result of a wartime mine encounter. Originally launched as the Escort in 1897, she was a steam-powered trawler built in Glasgow and later renamed Bellevue in 1922. Her final voyage ended in tragedy off the west coast, with the loss of all eight crew members. The wreck lies in the Firth of Clyde, where divers can find her triple expansion engine and stern section. Despite good visibility, the depth and netting present challenges for exploration.
CLYRO
The steam trawler Clyro, originally launched as the armed trawler Thomas Twiney, became a fishing vessel after her decommissioning post-World War One. On the night of 13th August 1935, she ran aground on reefs near Culzean Castle. Local resident Edward Flynn and the Girvan lifeboat Lily Ann responded to distress signals, assisting in the rescue of her crew. Despite efforts to save the vessel, her skipper, Ernest Wood, eventually decided to abandon her due to severe damage. The crew transferred salvageable items to another trawler and left the site. A subsequent inspection confirmed the Clyro was beyond repair. Her registry was closed in October 1935. Today, her remains lie broken near Culzean Castle, with notable features such as her engine and boiler still visible. The site is accessible by boat but is exposed to challenging conditions.
COMET II
Captain Duncan McInnes was among the thirteen survivors of the Comet II disaster, which claimed around seventy-three lives. The paddle steamer, built by James Lang in 1821, collided with the Ayr off Kempock Point in the Firth of Clyde. The collision, attributed to the absence of navigation lights and a bow lookout, led to the Comet II sinking within minutes. Despite the Ayr's damaged state, her return to Greenock without attempting a rescue drew significant criticism. Captain McInnes faced charges of culpable homicide and received a three-month jail sentence. Efforts to salvage the Comet II began in December 1825 but faced delays due to poor weather. The wreck remained underwater until the following summer, when Mr. Brown of Aberdeen successfully raised and beached her on 21st July 1826. The Comet II's tragic loss marked one of the earliest steamship disasters on the Clyde.
CUIRASSIER
The Cuirassier, a steamship, was transporting machinery and horse bedding from Glasgow to Bonawe when she ran aground near Little Cumbrae Lighthouse on 15th July 1894. As the tide rose, she slipped from her initial position and sank. The wreck lies in the Firth of Clyde, approximately 500 metres north of the lighthouse. Her remains are scattered along a steep mud and shingle slope, with depths ranging from 30 to 36 metres. The wreck is broken, with the aft section from boiler to stern being the most identifiable part. The engine and boiler are partially buried in the mud, rising only slightly above the seabed. The site can be located using an echo sounder or by following an old steel braided cable down the slope to the wreck. The Cuirassier's condition is notably broken, with her hull and machinery submerged in the soft seabed.
EUROPA
The fate of the Europa was sealed by a missed appointment. Her carpenter's absence led to a delay, placing her in the path of the SS Roseville. On the night of the collision, the Europa, under Captain Bushell, was en route to Malaga with a cargo of 850 tons. As she passed McInroy's Point, the Roseville was spotted too late, resulting in a near head-on collision. The Europa sank rapidly, taking Captain Bushell and four crew members with her. Survivors scrambled aboard the Roseville, which was also damaged and later beached by Captain Dove. The Europa's wreck now lies broken in the Firth of Clyde, east of Cloch Point. The site is characterised by her collapsed bow section and scattered debris, with hazards from a collapsing structure and nearby shipping traffic. Visibility is limited, and the wreck is mostly a bare hull, with notable features like her boilers still visible.
GREENOCK
The Greenock was located three days after her sinking by the Clyde Lighthouse Trust, resting three-quarters of a mile southwest of the Cloch Lighthouse. Despite her intact condition, no salvage attempts were made, and her owners received a £10,000 insurance payout. Built by William Simons & Company in 1876, the Greenock was a steam-powered bucket dredger serving primarily in the harbours of the Firth of Clyde. Her loss occurred on 18th November 1902 when the steamer Ape collided with her, causing her to capsize and sink. All but one of the crew survived. Today, the wreck lies upright on a sand and mud seabed, featuring notable elements like her boilers, propeller, and winch. The site, once hazardous due to unexploded mines, remains a point of interest for its structural features and historical significance.
KAFFIR
The wreck of the Kaffir is notable for her unusual grounding incident. In 1974, while moored in Ayr harbour, she was unexpectedly taken by John Henderson, a temporary crew member, who set out alone under the influence of alcohol. This unauthorised journey ended when the Kaffir ran aground just outside the harbour. Subsequent efforts to refloat her failed, and she was declared a constructive loss. Today, her remains lie broken in the Firth of Clyde, with sections visible at low tide. The wreck is split into two parts, with the stern closer to shore. Divers find the site challenging due to silty conditions from the nearby River Ayr. The wreck's cargo remains, mast, and stern section are among the notable features still present.
KINTYRE
Captain MacKechnie and engineer William Lennox were aboard the steamship Kintyre when she collided with the Maori on 18th September 1907. As the Maori's momentum drove her into the Kintyre's starboard side, most of the crew managed to escape to the Maori. Despite their efforts to beach the Kintyre, MacKechnie and Lennox were thrown into the sea as she sank. MacKechnie survived, but Lennox was lost. The owners of the Kintyre sought damages in court, but the ruling held them responsible for the collision. The wreck now lies in the Firth of Clyde, broken and partially collapsed. She rests on a steep slope, with her bow pointing towards the shore. The site is accessible from the shore, but divers face hazards including silt and collapsing structures. The wreck's notable features include a winch and a dramatic clipper bow, now covered in anemones.
LAKEMOOR
The steamship Lakemoor, under the command of Lieutenant K J Powers, was part of a convoy carrying war supplies from Newport, Virginia to Glasgow. Onboard were ten officers and fifty-seven ratings, including Lieutenant Kirk Thomas, the second in command. As the convoy passed through the North Channel on 11th April 1918, the German submarine UB-64, commanded by Kapitanleutnant Otto von Schrader, targeted the Lakemoor. A torpedo strike caused the ship to sink rapidly. Tragically, five officers and forty-two ratings perished, while twenty crew members survived. The wreck of the Lakemoor now rests in the Firth of Clyde. Her remains are scattered, with notable features including her anchor, cargo remnants, and a triple expansion engine. The wreck was confirmed as Lakemoor in 2024 when divers discovered crockery marked 'USN'.
LONGWY
Captain Joseph Huet and twenty-eight crew members perished when the French steamship Longwy was torpedoed by the German submarine UC-75 in early November 1917. The attack occurred a few miles off Corsewall Point as the vessel was en route from Nantes to Bilbao, intending to load iron ore before proceeding to Glasgow. The captain's body was later found washed ashore at Girvan. Following the sinking, a temporary Notice to Mariners was issued, and a light buoy was placed by the Northern Lighthouse Board to mark the wreck, as her masts posed a navigational hazard. This buoy was removed in October 1919. Today, the Longwy lies broken on the seabed of the Firth of Clyde. Despite her condition, notable features such as the boilers, triple expansion engine, and stern section remain visible. The site is subject to strong tidal currents, making access challenging.
MARGARET NIVEN
The grounding and subsequent sinking of the Margaret Niven had significant consequences, particularly for her owners, Smith & Glendinning of Gourock. After the vessel ran aground on the rock known as 'Bald Heid' near Barmore Island, attempts to salvage her failed, leading to her sale to Glasgow salvor McLean & Co. for £14. Despite efforts to recover the ship, she remains submerged in the Firth of Clyde. The wreck lies on a shingle and mud seabed, with her hull largely intact and the stern facing north. The single boiler is a prominent feature, and the cargo of road granite still partially fills the hull. Divers can locate the site using an echo sounder or by descending the rock's face and following the seabed contour. The area is relatively sheltered, though exposed to northern and eastern winds.
MARY ANNING
The Mary Anning, an iron steamship built by Palmer's Shipbuilding & Iron Company, was under the command of Captain T. Venables when she departed Glasgow with a coal cargo bound for Odessa. On the night of her departure, she anchored near Greenock. In the early hours, the coasting steamship Argus, captained by Reid, collided with her. The impact woke the Mary Anning's crew, who were mostly asleep, but they managed to escape onto the Argus. The Mary Anning sank shortly after. Though insured, she was considered a navigational hazard, leading to a salvage attempt by Charles Gush. The extent of the salvage is unclear, but parts of the wreck remain in the Firth of Clyde, identifiable by sonar images. Notable features include her anchor and cargo remains.