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A deservedly popular site, the Hispania is one of
the most dived wrecks in Scotland. She was a steel cargo
steamship that sank in 1954 in the Sound of Mull, whilst
carrying a cargo of steel, asbestos and rubber from Liverpool
to Sweden. This was a rare example in recent times where the
Captain chose to go down with his ship.
Today the wreck sits in around 30 metres of water, with the
deck around 24 metres, and is almost completely carpeted in
spectacular sealife. The strong tides in this area mean the
site needs to be dived at slack water. Slack water itself can
be short and it can be running on the surface and yet slack on
the wreck, and vice-versa. This dive is only suited to
experienced divers, capable of dealing with tidal shot-lines. |
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The Meldon fell victim to mines laid by a German u-boat
early in 1917. This steel steamship struck one of these mines
off the Garvellachs, and was forced to head for Loch Buie on
the south coast of the Isle Of Mull. Here she went ashore,
allowing the crew a safe escape, and she now lies in around 13
metres of water, just offshore. The sloping nature of the
shingle seabed means that her rudder post can be seen above
the surface at low water. This is a very pretty wreck covered
in a variety of sealife, that on a clam day is well suited to
most levels of ability. |
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The SS Breda is a very popular wreck site, found
just off the mainland north of Oban. She was sunk in December
1940 by German Bombers, but managed to run ashore in a vain
effort to save her valuable cargo that included aeroplanes and
military vehicles. She lies in Ardmucknish bay, at a depth of
around 30 metres to the seabed, with the deck being around 19
metres. |
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The Rondo took shelter in Aros bay, on the Isle of
Mull, during a violent storm in 1935. Unfortunately the anchor
chain broke, and she drifted down the Sound of Mull and onto
the rocks of Dearg Sgeir. She lay here until she was
eventually washed off and settled into the deep water next to
this small island. She now lies vertically against the
underwater rock face, with her bow on the seabed at around 50
metres depth, and her rudder post only a few metres beneath
the surface. The hull is beautifully adorned in an array of
anemones and dead-man's fingers, whilst pollock, wrasse and
saithe are frequently encountered. |
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The tale of the sinking of the Benghazi is one of
heroism and tragedy. In 1947 she was ten miles south of Oban,
having just stopped for coal and provisions, when she became
caught in a gale. She struck a rock, known as Bogha Nuadh, and
listed heavily to one side, taking in water. The lifeboat was
launched, but it was immediately apparent that the bung was
missing. The ships cook, Charles Bevin, used his fist to block
the bung hole, and twelve crew mates joined him in the boat.
After two hours at the mercy of the tides, and in freezing
waters, they were washed ashore on the Isle of Luing. Unaware
of their location, and with conditions still bad, they spent
the night huddled together to keep warm. Sadly Bevan died of
exposure during the night. Meanwhile, the Benghazi had become
unstuck and had drifted onto the shore of Fladda, in the Sound
of Luing. Her Captain, Bosun, Mate and one other crewmen were
still aboard. During the night, amidst the turmoil of crashing
seas, the crewman was lost. Because of the ongoing storm, it
was some time before the remaining three men could be rescued.
The wreck now lies on Fladda, in the Firth of Lorn. |
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The Thesis was carrying pig iron from Middlesborough
to Belfast in October 1889, when in calm conditions and under
a clear sky she struck a reef towards the south end of the
Sound of Mull. Details are a bit sketchy as to the exact
details surrounding her loss, but today she lies only fifty
metres from the Morvern shore at Rubha an Ridire. The bow sits
in around 20 metres depth, and the stern at around 35 metres.
This tidal wreck in the Sound of Mull, is only suited to
relatively experienced divers. |
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