Wreck Diving in Shetland
10 diveable wrecks in Shetland, United Kingdom. Depths range from 5.5–69m.
ANGLO DANE
The Anglo Dane's story is marked by the people involved in her voyages and eventual loss. Originally ordered by the Anglo Danish and Baltic Steam Navigation Company Ltd, financial difficulties led to her purchase by Det Forende Dampskibs Selskab (DFDS) in 1867. She served on North Sea and Baltic routes for nearly forty years, with a significant rebuild in 1874 enhancing her capacity. During World War I, she continued her voyages despite increased risks, including a collision with a German torpedo boat in 1914. Her final journey in October 1917 ended when she struck a mine laid by UC-40 near Shetland, resulting in the death of one crew member. The rest were rescued by the British torpedo boat Arab. Today, the wreck lies broken in the North Sea, with notable features like her boilers, cargo remains, and propeller still present, identified through recovered DFDS crockery.
BORODINSKOYE POLYE
On the night of November 17th, 1993, the Borodinskoye Polye, a large factory ship, ran aground on Unicorn Reef near Lerwick amidst a severe gale. The Lerwick lifeboat, Soldian, was quickly dispatched under the command of Coxswain Peter Thomson. The lifeboat, along with pilot vessels and a Coastguard helicopter, worked tirelessly to rescue the seventy-four crew members. Despite the challenging conditions, with the ship rolling on the rocks, all crew were safely evacuated, thanks to the efforts of Thomson, his team, and the helicopter crew. The incident raised concerns about the seaworthiness of similar vessels in the area. The Borodinskoye Polye was carrying substantial quantities of oil, prompting a costly operation to prevent environmental damage. The wreck now lies in shallow water at Unicorn Reef, mostly submerged and scattered, marking the site of this significant maritime event.
Braer
The grounding of the Braer in 1993 led to significant changes in maritime safety regulations. The incident highlighted the risks of using older, single-hulled tankers and resulted in stricter monitoring and emergency response measures for vessels in the Fair Isle Channel. The Braer, built by Oshima Shipbuilding Company in 1975, ran aground at Garths Ness, Shetland, due to engine failure caused by seawater contamination of her diesel fuel. Despite carrying 85,000 tonnes of crude oil, the environmental impact was less severe than feared, as strong winds and waves dispersed the oil. The wreck now lies scattered in shallow waters, with remnants like her anchor and engine visible. Diving conditions are challenging due to silt and collapsing structures, and the site is exposed to the elements, making it hazardous for exploration.
ELINOR VIKING
The Elinor Viking is notable for the dramatic rescue operation that followed her stranding. Built in 1974 by John Lewis and Sons Ltd, she was a British diesel-powered trawler operating around Shetland. On a stormy day, she was swept onto the rocks of Vee Skerries, necessitating a perilous rescue. A British Airways helicopter crew, assembled spontaneously, braved severe weather to save the crew. Using a winch, they managed to hoist the crew to safety despite the challenging conditions. The Elinor Viking eventually slipped off the rocks, becoming a total wreck. Her remains now rest on the east side of the reef named Reaerach, though recent dive reports are unavailable.
GLENISLA
Captain Joseph Mitchell commanded the Glenisla with a crew of twenty-three men. On 24th November 1917, while en route from Newcastle to Slemmestad, Norway, the Glenisla carried a full cargo of coal. Her journey was interrupted, and she anchored near Kirkabister Light. During this time, she collided with the British steamship Glenelg, which had been damaged by a mine and was under tow for repairs. The collision fatally damaged the Glenisla, but fortunately, her crew escaped safely in the ship's boats. Today, the wreck of the Glenisla lies in the North Sea, off the Shetland region. She rests upright on a sandy seabed, with her boilers, engine, and a large spare propeller visible. A steel mast and deck gun are also present on the seabed, marking the site of her final resting place.
GRAYFISH
The Grayfish, a steel motor fishing vessel built by R Dunston Ltd in 1960, was operated by the Huxley Fishing Co Ltd of Lowestoft. By 1973, she was serving as an oil rig standby vessel in the Shetlands. On 21st December of that year, while heading to Lerwick with a malfunctioning radar, she encountered dense fog, severely hindering navigation. The skipper inadvertently veered off course, and the Grayfish grounded on an offshore reef. Fortunately, she managed to run aground near Point of Pundsta, only fifty yards from shore. This proximity allowed coast rescue teams from Lerwick and Sandwick to easily reach the vessel and safely bring the five-man crew ashore. Despite initial hopes to refloat her, severe weather soon rendered the Grayfish a total wreck. Today, her remains are scattered among rocks above and below the low water tide line in the North Sea, accessible from the shore.
HMS ASIA
The sinking of HMS Asia had significant consequences during World War I. Originally a steam trawler built in 1905 by Earle's Shipbuilding and Engineering Co Ltd, she was requisitioned by the Admiralty in 1914 for use as a minesweeper. On 12th September 1917, while escorting a convoy into Lerwick harbour, she struck a mine laid by the German U-boat UC-40, resulting in the loss of seven crew members, including her commander, Lieutenant John Duxfield Benjamin. The wreck of the Asia now lies in the North Sea off Shetland. She rests at a depth of 69 metres, with her notable features including a triple expansion engine and anchor. The ship's bell, recovered by a local diver, confirmed her identity and is now housed in the Lerwick museum. Due to the depth and conditions, specific diving details are not provided.
STRATHTAY
The Strathtay, a steam trawler built by Hall Russell and Co Ltd in 1891, was lost with all nine crew members during a severe storm in February 1900. Departing from Aberdeen on 9th February, she headed towards the fishing grounds off Shetland. Tragically, none of her crew survived the storm, and no confirmed sightings of the vessel were made after her departure. A trawler was seen from Sumburgh Lighthouse attempting to anchor during the storm, but distress flares were the last signs before she vanished. Years later, divers discovered wreckage off Scatness, including the Strathtay's maker's plate, confirming her identity. The wreck, now scattered on a rocky seabed, includes her engine, anchor, and a spare propeller. The remains lie in the North Sea, near the southern tip of Scatness, in a condition described as scattered.
USTETIND
Captain Barmen commanded the Ustetind on her fateful journey from Porsgrunn to the Tyne, carrying 600 tons of telegraph poles. As she crossed the North Sea, a severe gale pushed her towards the rocky shores near Silwick, Shetland. On Christmas Day, she lost a propeller, and despite deploying anchors, the vessel was driven aground. Observers from a nearby village alerted the lifesaving crew, who braved a blizzard to rescue the crew using a line fired from the headland. The Ustetind settled deep in the water, her hull smashed, and was declared a total wreck by the next day. Over time, her wooden structure broke apart, with much of the wreckage washing ashore. Some remnants may still lie in the shallow waters of Silwick Bay, marked by her anchor and cargo remains.
WENDELA
The loss of the Wendela had significant financial implications for the Danish East India Company, which was already struggling in its early years. The Wendela, a Danish East Indiaman, was carrying a valuable cargo, including silver bars and coins, from Copenhagen to Tranquebar in 1737 when she disappeared. Her loss was first indicated by debris and bodies found along the coast of Unst, and she was confirmed wrecked at East Fetlar. The wreck site, scattered among rocks, contained remnants of her cargo, including coins and metal. Despite salvage efforts, much of her treasure remained unrecovered. In 1971, a modern investigation found debris and a few silver coins, but the site remains largely unexplored. The Wendela's remains are scattered, and the exact amount of treasure still on the seabed is unknown.