Also known as: Chris Christensen
Longstone lighthouse — made famous by Grace Darling's 1838 rescue — watches over one of the Farne Islands' most dramatic underwater landscapes, and the Chris Christensen occupies pride of place at its base. This Danish steamer, running light from Aarhus to pick up cargo at Newcastle, misjudged the reef in February 1915 and came to grief on its south-eastern tip. Her remains have cascaded down an underwater cliff: the boiler and triple-expansion engine sit at around 30 metres, with wreckage tumbling over boulders down to 40. The depth and currents make this a dive for experienced visitors only, but the reward is a site with genuine vertical drama — something rare in the generally flat seabed of north-east England. The nearby SS Coryton wreck adds a bonus target for those with gas and time to spare on the same descent.
Ran aground on the south-eastern tip of Longstone reef, Farne Islands, while travelling in ballast from Aarhus to Newcastle-upon-Tyne. All 19 crew saved.
SS Chris Christensen is a cargo vessel wreck located off Northumberland, United Kingdom at a depth of 40 metres. The vessel was lost due to grounding in 1915. The wreck is diveable.
SS Chris Christensen lies at 30 to 40 metres depth, Longstone Ends, south-eastern tip of Longstone reef, Farne Islands.
SS Chris Christensen ran aground on 16 February 1915, off Northumberland, United Kingdom. 0 people lost their lives.
Diving the SS Chris Christensen is rated advanced and is requires an Advanced Open Water certification with wreck diving experience. Recommended: Deep Diver or Trimix.
The best months to dive SS Chris Christensen are May, June, July, August, September. Water temperature ranges from 6°C in winter to 15°C in summer.
SS Chris Christensen is accessed by boat from Seahouses, Northumberland, United Kingdom.
| Month | Temp | Visibility | Access | Marine life |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 6.0°C | 4.0m | poor | Minimal — winter conditions |
| Feb | 6.0°C | 4.0m | poor | Minimal — winter conditions |
| Mar | 6.5°C | 5.0m | poor | Minimal — winter conditions |
| Apr | 7.5°C | 6.0m | marginal | Moderate — season starting |
| May | 9.0°C | 8.0m | good | Good — wrasse, pollock, grey seals, anemones |
| Jun | 11.0°C | 10.0m | good | Good — wrasse, pollock, grey seals, anemones, puffins above |
| Jul | 13.0°C | 13.0m | good | Peak — grey seals, large shoals, nudibranchs, seabirds |
| Aug | 15.0°C | 15.0m | good | Peak — grey seals, large shoals, nudibranchs, seabirds |
| Sep | 14.0°C | 12.0m | good | Good — grey seals, wrasse, pollock |
| Oct | 11.0°C | 7.0m | marginal | Moderate — season closing |
| Nov | 8.5°C | 5.0m | poor | Minimal — winter conditions |
| Dec | 7.0°C | 4.0m | poor | Minimal — winter conditions |
2 evidence records from 2 sources.
Sheer cliff to 30m, boulders to 40m. Single boiler and triple-expansion engine amidships.
Danish cargo steamer. Ran aground on Longstone reef 16 February 1915. All 19 crew saved.
Longstone Ends, south-eastern tip of Longstone reef, Farne Islands