Moghrey mie— good morningJerdein 29 Jerrey Fouyir 2026Thursday, 29 October 2026
Manx Culture · Under the sea
Divers and Fishing
Shipwrecks around the Isle of Man: where they lie on a chart, what shape their hulls are in, how deep they are, how good the diving and the fishing are rated, and the fish that divers and anglers can expect to meet on them. Built mainly from a printed diver's guide, with the UK Hydrographic Office's open wreck records as a second check.
Our own chart, drawn from open data: the coast, a grid in degrees and minutes, depth contours and one marker for each wreck. Colour shows the hull condition (or the type, or the fishing rating), size shows tonnage, and a dashed ring is a position read off a chart plot. Select a wreck for its details.
Hold Ctrl (or ⌘) and scroll to zoom
Chart help: drag to move, pinch or press plus and minus to zoom. Every wreck is also in the list and the table.
Colour: hull condition
Intact
Largely intact
Collapsed
Broken up
Scattered debris
Not recorded
Colour: fishing rating
10/10
8/10
6/10
4/10
2/10
Not rated
Colour: type
Steamship
Motor vessel
Sailing vessel
Fishing vessel
Tug, dredger or work boat
Naval vessel
Submarine
Other
Type not recorded
Outline: position
Verified
Unverified (one source)
Read off a chart plot, with its uncertainty ring
Larger marker, larger ship. Grid lines are degrees and minutes; a minute of latitude is a nautical mile. Depth contours (EMODnet) at 10, 20, 30, 50 and 100 m.
Tidal streams around the Calf reach about 6 knots at springs; check the stream atlas and the forecast first.
How the positions were worked out
Each position says where it came from. Stated positions are copied exactly as published: the printed diver's guide (degrees and decimal minutes, on the WGS84 datum except two entries it prints on OSGB36), the UK Hydrographic Office's open wreck record (a differential or ordinary GPS fix, or an older radio fix), or a position hand-written on the owner's chart. Chart-read positions are measured off the wreck symbol on the owner's chart against its own lines of latitude and longitude (the 54°00′N parallel and the 5°W and 4°30′W meridians, with the island's lighthouses as a check) and are good to about half a nautical mile.
Where two sources agree within their uncertainty the position is verified; where there is only one, or they disagree, it is unverified, and the entry says why. Of the 8 wrecks that have both a UKHO record and a symbol plotted on the chart, 7 agree to within 0.4 nautical miles; the others, Marianne Toft (7.3 nm), do not, and are flagged on their entries. The depth contours were also checked: at the wrecks we tested the grid's depth agrees with UKHO's water depth to within about 6 metres.
How the ratings work
The diver's guide that most of this page rests on (Adrian Corkill's Shipwrecks of the Isle of Man) rates each open-water wreck on three five-star scales. We show his ratings out of 10, doubled exactly (four stars is 8/10), credited to him, with the meaning of each step in our own words. The guide gives no stars for coast and shore wrecks. The ratings are one author's opinion at the time of writing: wrecks change, so treat them as a guide.
Hull
10/10Intact or virtually intact.
8/10Some deterioration, but the hull is largely there.
6/10Collapsed, but the outline of the ship can still be made out.
4/10A lot of broken wreckage, but no ship shape left.
2/10Only a few scattered pieces remain.
Scenery (the diving)
10/10An excellent dive: largely intact, plenty to see, usually good visibility.
8/10An enjoyable dive: some deterioration, usually good visibility.
6/10A pleasant dive, though visibility can be poor or there is less to see.
4/10Very broken, but worth a dive for a search through the debris.
2/10For enthusiasts only.
Fishing (the angling)
10/10Consistently good, with fish both large and plentiful.
8/10Generally excellent fishing, though a species or two may be missing.
6/10Plenty of fish, mostly small, with the odd bigger one.
4/10Moderate numbers of small fish.
2/10Poor: generally not worth fishing.
The hull rating is also turned into the hull-condition scale used on the chart: 10/10 is "Intact", 8/10 "Largely intact", 6/10 "Collapsed", 4/10 "Broken up" and 2/10 "Scattered debris". For coast and shore wrecks, which have no stars, the hull condition is our reading of the guide's description. Fishing ratings say how many fish of what size the author met; they are not a promise.
Wreck list
Every wreck in full, with where each fact came from. 101 wrecks, lost between 1822 and 2002. Anything not recorded says so.
Wooden barque of Liverpool, 415 tons register, built Quebec 1873; 43.4 x 8.8 x 4.0 m
Lost
21 October 1874 · Foundered Foundered in a gale after a leak, probably from a starting butt, on her second voyage from Liverpool to West Africa; two men died. 2 lives lost.
Size
tonnage not recorded · built 1873 · 43.4 m long · 8.8 m beam
18 October 1896 · Foundered Foundered in a storm off Santon Head carrying limestone from Llandulas; all ten crew were taken off by the steamer Onyx. 0 lives lost.
Size
287 gross tons · built 1877 · 42.8 m long · 7.1 m beam
Depth
18 m over the wreck, 22 m seabed Measured by diver.
In the owner's book (open-water wreck, page 28, site description page 29, fishing page 30)
Hull6/10Collapsed, but the outline of the ship can still be made out.
Scenery8/10An enjoyable dive: some deterioration, usually good visibility.
Fishing4/10Moderate numbers of small fish.
Where: 0.7 nm SE of Santon Head.
Built of iron at Glasgow and owned by the Ayr Steam Shipping Company. A diver survey located her in 1989.
Before the book was added the hull was described (by ukho-wrecks, 1999) as: Lies in two main sections, one probably the boiler, standing about 5 m high (a 1989 diver survey).
Named in the book's angling text for this wreck: Close to shore so not a good angling wreck; small pollack to 5 lb usual, with cod and small ling to 6 lb on occasion in summer.
Verified position. The book's printed position and a second source agree. The UK Hydrographic Office position is 0.00 nm away (agrees).
In the owner's book (open-water wreck, page 30, site description page 32, fishing page 32)
Hull6/10Collapsed, but the outline of the ship can still be made out.
Scenery6/10A pleasant dive, though visibility can be poor or there is less to see.
Fishing6/10Plenty of fish, mostly small, with the odd bigger one.
Where: 5.3 nm SE of Maughold Head.
Owned by a Douglas man. Reported sunk about 1.5 miles south of the Bahama Bank light vessel, off Maughold Head; Ramsey Sub-Aqua Club located her in 1986.
Before the book was added the hull was described (by ukho-wrecks, 2020) as: Described as broken up.
Named in the book's angling text for this wreck: Heavily fished; large shoals of coalfish at times; pollack common but seldom over 5 lb; cod possible near sand eel; pouting prolific; conger eels among the wreckage.
Verified position. The book's printed position and a second source agree. The UK Hydrographic Office position is 0.02 nm away (agrees).
Steel steamship of Liverpool, 350 GRT, built 1909 by G Brown and Co, Greenock; 43.3 x 7.2 x 3 m;
Lost
17 March 1940 · Ran aground Left Preston for Belfast with coal; at 1.25 am in pitch dark, with navigation lights and Langness Light extinguished in wartime, she ran onto the rocks at Fort Island; two men (James Marsh and his son William) were washed off a raft and lost before the Castletown Rocket Corps could rescue them. 2 lives lost.
Size
350 gross tons · built 1909 · 43.3 m long · 7.2 m beam
Depth
5 m seabed (depth over the wreck not recorded)
Seabed
not recorded
Hull condition
Broken up A fair amount of wreckage including the engine lies parallel to the rocks just north of Chapel Gullet; dive only at slack water (about an hour before low water to half an hour after) because of very strong currents close to the rocks. Wreck broke up within weeks of loss; by April 1940 only bow and stern shells remained. Source: Tempus (now The History Press). Identified from the running title and the publisher named in earlier research
Position
54°04.470'N 004°36.180'W As printed in the book (p. 159); the ring is about 0.05 nm. WGS84. Decimal: 54.07450, -4.60300.
UK Hydrographic Office record: 54°04.443'N 004°36.170'W, 0.03 nm away: agrees. The UK Hydrographic Office position for a wreck of the same name.
Access
Boat Close under the coast; the book lists slipways and beach launches by distance. Check the tide and access with a local club.
Tides and currents
Dive only at slack water, about an hour before low water to half an hour after, because the currents close to the rocks are very strong. Tidal stream atlas
In the owner's book (coast wreck, page 159, site description page 161)
The book gives no ratings for coast wrecks.
Where: Chapel Gullet, Fort Island (off Langness).
About this entry: Coast entries carry no star ratings in the book (header has Depth, Position, Datum, Location, Access only).
The book places it chapel Gullet, Fort Island (off Langness).
Coast entries carry no star ratings in the book (header has Depth, Position, Datum, Location, Access only).
The book names no fish for this wreck (it gives angling text for open-water wrecks only), so these are kinds of fish that suit the depth and seabed, from general references. Typical, not guaranteed.
Verified position. The book's printed position and a second source agree. The UK Hydrographic Office position is 0.03 nm away (agrees).
16 October 1998 · Foundered Capsized and sank within half a minute after undetected flooding of the forward spaces; her skipper-owner died and five were rescued. 1 life lost.
Size
90.44 gross tons · built 1979 · 24.1 m long · 7.5 m beam
Depth
29 m over the wreck, 47 m seabed Measured by diver.
54°00.855'N 004°50.077'W As printed in the book (p. 33); the ring is about 0.05 nm. WGS84. Decimal: 54.01425, -4.83462.
UK Hydrographic Office record: 54°00.855'N 004°50.077'W, 0.00 nm away: agrees. The previous primary position for this wreck (kept as a check)
Position written on the owner's chart: 54°00.85'N 004°50.09'W, 0.01 nm away: agrees. Position hand-written beside the chart; the digit after "50." is a struck zero, read as 0
Wreck symbol plotted on the owner's chart: 54°00.7'N 004°50.5'W, 0.25 nm away: agrees. The wreck symbol on the plot, measured against the chart's graticule
Access
Boat About 1 nautical miles from the nearest shore, so reached by boat.
In the owner's book (open-water wreck, page 33, site description page 37, fishing page 37)
Hull10/10Intact or virtually intact.
Scenery8/10An enjoyable dive: some deterioration, usually good visibility.
Fishing6/10Plenty of fish, mostly small, with the odd bigger one.
Where: 1.5 nm SSW of Chicken Rock.
A recent loss: five small orange buoys marked the wreck in October 1998.
The seabed depth differs: ukho-wrecks gave 40 m and the book 47 m (the book's is shown).
Before the book was added the hull was described (by ukho-wrecks, 2002) as: Described as intact, resting on her port bilge keel; a diver measured her height at about 9 m.
The loss date differs: UKHO has 1998-10-15 and the book 1998-10-16 (the book's is shown).
Named in the book's angling text for this wreck: Pollack predominate, big shoals feeding at the strongest tide, mostly 3 to 7 lb; occasional coalfish; no other species yet.
Verified position. The book's printed position and a second source agree. The UK Hydrographic Office position is 0.00 nm away (agrees). The position written on the owner's chart is 0.01 nm away (agrees). The wreck symbol plotted on the owner's chart is 0.25 nm away (agrees).
Steel steamship of Glasgow, 227 GRT, built 1900 by Scott & Sons, Bowling; 35.7 x 6.6 x 2.9 m.
Lost
7 February 1918 · Gunfire Sunk by gunfire from a German submarine while carrying soda ash from Warrington to Larne; the crew were rescued. Identity of the wreck assumed, not confirmed. 0 lives lost.
Size
227 gross tons · built 1900 · 35.7 m long · 6.6 m beam
The book names no fish for this wreck (no angling information was readable), so these are kinds of fish that suit the depth and seabed, from general references. Typical, not guaranteed.
Unverified. One source only: the owner's book (its printed position).
Steamship Argo (name from the page captions); crew included a master and ten hands (partly legible)
Lost
1905 · Ran aground Went ashore near Santon Head, in December 1905 (the day is not legible in the copy read); a 27-ton boiler on the foredeck was thought to have deflected her compass; broke into three pieces and was a total loss; the crew climbed the cliff and sheltered at a farmhouse. 0 lives lost.
Size
tonnage not recorded
Depth
not recorded
Seabed
not recorded
Hull condition
Not recorded No description of the hull has been recorded.
Position
54°06.110'N 004°32.771'W As published by UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO). WGS84. Decimal: 54.10183, -4.54618.
Access
Shore Walk to it along the shore; see the book for the path.
In the owner's book (shore wreck, page 220, site description page 222)
The book gives no ratings for shore wrecks.
Where: Reported on the shore next to Santon Head.
About this entry: Header page (p219) not clearly readable; author reports wreckage on the shore next to Santon Head but had not located it. No position taken.
The book places it reported on the shore next to Santon Head.
Header page (p219) not clearly readable; author reports wreckage on the shore next to Santon Head but had not located it. No position taken.
Fish typical for a wreck like this
Not enough is recorded about this site to suggest any.
Unverified. One source only: the UK Hydrographic Office record; the book's header for this wreck could not be read, so it has not been checked against the book.
Wooden barquentine of Riga, Latvia, 390 tons register; 43.3 x 9.5 m; owner Buer and Co, Riga
Lost
26 January 1927 · Ran aground Left Runcorn for Valencia with a cargo of pitch and sheltered in Ramsey Bay; after the wind went round to the south-east she dragged her anchor and was driven ashore at Knock-e-Dooney, Andreas; all nine crew were saved by the Ramsey Rocket Brigade by breeches buoy; about 500 tons of pitch were salvaged. 0 lives lost.
Also written: Ballineye (local name); Four and Forty (local name)
Type
Steamer with a general cargo
Lost
5 January 1882 · Foundered Overloaded and unstable, she foundered in a westerly gale after leaving the Mersey; all fifteen crew were lost. 15 lives lost.
Size
341 gross tons · built 1878 · 52 m long · 7.1 m beam
Depth
24 m over the wreck, 29 m seabed Measured by wire-drag sweep.
Seabed
not recorded
Hull condition
Collapsed Found in 1967 by divers led by Michael Corlett of Laxey, about seven miles south-east of Laxey Head, after fishermen lost trawl gear there; her bell, inscribed Ballina, named her (she had been taken for the Ben Seyr). Lies north-east/south-west, bows to the north-east, spread over about 55 m and 10 m wide and standing up to 4 m in 29 m. The boiler, engine and stern (the most intact part) stand out; forward of the boiler she is flattened, with plating outlining her shape in the sand. A trawl net has been on the stern since 1999. Source: Tempus (now The History Press). Identified from the running title and the publisher named in earlier research
Position
54°09.477'N 004°14.675'W As printed in the book (p. 39); the ring is about 0.05 nm. WGS84. Decimal: 54.15795, -4.24458.
UK Hydrographic Office record: 54°09.407'N 004°14.657'W, 0.07 nm away: agrees. The previous primary position for this wreck (kept as a check)
Wreck symbol plotted on the owner's chart: 54°09.8'N 004°14.6'W, 0.32 nm away: agrees. The wreck symbol on the plot, measured against the chart's graticule
Access
Boat About 6 nautical miles from the nearest shore, so reached by boat.
Tides and currents
The flood runs from the south-west and the ebb from the north-east. Slack water comes at about the predicted high and low water times, from about half an hour before to three quarters of an hour after, and is shorter on spring tides. Tidal stream atlas
In the owner's book (open-water wreck, page 39, site description page 42, fishing page 43)
Hull6/10Collapsed, but the outline of the ship can still be made out.
Scenery6/10A pleasant dive, though visibility can be poor or there is less to see.
Fishing6/10Plenty of fish, mostly small, with the odd bigger one.
Where: 5.5 nm SE of Clay Head.
Known locally as "Ballineye" or "Four and Forty".
Before the book was added the hull was described (by ukho-wrecks, 1997) as: Described as intact, bows to the south, standing about 4 m high in 26 m of water (a 1989 diver survey).
The tonnage differs: UKHO has 317 GT and the book 341 GRT (the book's is shown).
Finds over the years include bottles, decanters, sealed jars still holding cherries, glass olive dishes and brass fittings. Her bell was given to the town of Ballina in 1994.
Named in the book's angling text for this wreck: Big shoals, often of small fish: coalfish (mostly up to 5 lb, some years into double figures) in May and June; codling shoals a few hundred metres off in June; plenty of small pollack from June; ling to 15 lb and conger to 30 lb in July and August; pouting all season and the odd ballan wrasse.
Verified position. The book's printed position and a second source agree. The UK Hydrographic Office position is 0.07 nm away (agrees). The wreck symbol plotted on the owner's chart is 0.32 nm away (agrees).
Not recordedVerified positionIdentity possibleSteamship
Type
Large cargo steamer
Lost
19 September 1918 · Torpedoed Torpedoed by the German submarine UB-64 and sank at once; 30 lives were lost. 30 lives lost.
Size
4,952 gross tons · 123.4 m long · 15.8 m beam
Depth
79 m over the wreck, 97 m seabed Measured by side-scan sonar.
Seabed
mud
Hull condition
Not recorded No description of the hull has been recorded.
Position
54°05.859'N 005°07.266'W As published by UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO) (Hi-Fix (older radio positioning)). WGS84. Decimal: 54.09765, -5.12110.
Wreck symbol plotted on the owner's chart: 54°05.9'N 005°07.1'W, 0.11 nm away: agrees. The wreck symbol on the plot, measured against the chart's graticule
Access
Boat About 11 nautical miles from the nearest shore, so reached by boat.
Steel steamship of Ramsey (ex Starling), 212 GRT, built 1905 by George Brown and Co., Greenock; 33.5 x 6.7 x 2.5 m; owned by the Ramsey Steamship Co. Ltd
Lost
7 February 1918 · Gunfire On passage from Liverpool to Belfast with 150 tons of soap, she was shelled by the German submarine UB57, which had just attacked the steamer Limesfield. Her seven crew took to the boat; the U-boat commander questioned them and told them to go back aboard and take off some of the cargo, but she was already on fire, and she soon stood on end and sank. The crew were picked up by the steamer Norman and landed at Whitehaven early next morning. 0 lives lost.
Size
212 gross tons · built 1905 · 33.5 m long · 6.7 m beam
Depth
39 m seabed (depth over the wreck not recorded)
Seabed
sand
Hull condition
Largely intact Identity confirmed in 1997 when her bell, inscribed Starling (her name at launch), was recovered. Upright, rising about 4.5 m along her whole length; about 37 m by 8 m, north-east/south-west with the bow to the south-west. The superstructure at the stern has collapsed to deck level; the long single hold still holds crates of soap; large pieces of wreckage lie off the bow. A big trawl net on the stern can lift above the wreck at slack water. Plenty of fish and big lobsters. Source: Tempus (now The History Press). Identified from the running title and the publisher named in earlier research
Position
54°01.627'N 003°53.853'W As printed in the book (p. 43); the ring is about 0.05 nm. WGS84. Decimal: 54.02712, -3.89755.
Access
Boat Reached by boat: 21.5 nm east-south-east of Douglas Head. The book lists the slipways and beach launches by distance.
Tides and currents
The flood runs from the west-south-west and the ebb from the east-north-east. Slack water comes at about the predicted high and low water times, from about half an hour before to three quarters of an hour after, and is shorter on spring tides. Tidal stream atlas
In the owner's book (open-water wreck, page 43, site description page 45, fishing page 45)
Hull8/10Some deterioration, but the hull is largely there.
Scenery8/10An enjoyable dive: some deterioration, usually good visibility.
Fishing8/10Generally excellent fishing, though a species or two may be missing.
Where: 21.5 nm east-south-east of Douglas Head.
Getting there: Douglas (21.5 nm): slipway at all states of the tide.
About this entry: Read from the owner's photographs of pp. 42-46.
The book places it 21.5 nm east-south-east of Douglas Head.
Sunk on the same day by the same submarine as the Limesfield, which lies about 1.7 nm to the west.
Named in the book's angling text for this wreck: Good offshore wreck fishing at the right depth; mainly pollack, averaging 5 to 7 lb with the odd fish into double figures, and cod, though cod had been largely absent for a few years.
Unverified. One source only: the owner's book (its printed position).
Named in the book's angling text for this wreck: Large shoals of pollack in summer and autumn; coalfish, cod and ling on occasion; large conger in the darker parts.
Verified position. The book's printed position and a second source agree. The UK Hydrographic Office position is 0.00 nm away (agrees).
Steel steamship of Liverpool, 177 GRT, built 1901 by Scott and Sons, Bowling; 29 x 6.6 x 3 m;
Lost
5 March 1917 · Ran aground Lost her rudder in a gale after leaving Preston with 190 tons of coal for Douglas; the crew abandoned ship in the lifeboat and landed at Port Soderick; the ship drifted onto rocks at Langness and became a total wreck; broke up in a gale on 5 March 1917. 0 lives lost.
Size
177 gross tons · built 1901 · 29 m long · 6.6 m beam
The book names no fish for this wreck (it gives angling text for open-water wrecks only), so these are kinds of fish that suit the depth and seabed, from general references. Typical, not guaranteed.
Verified position. The book's printed position and a second source agree. The UK Hydrographic Office position is 0.08 nm away (agrees).
Steel barge, 27.4 m long, owned by the Laxey Towing Co, Isle of Man
Lost
25 November 1981 · Foundered Foundered in heavy weather under tow by the tug Salisbury, about 7 nm north-west of Peel, carrying 1,800 railway sleepers from Ardrossan for Peel.
Named in the book's angling text for this wreck: Muddy seabed means fishing is poorer than expected; shoals of small pollack and coalfish with abundant pouting.
Verified position. The book's printed position and a second source agree. The UK Hydrographic Office position is 0.01 nm away (agrees).
53°59.490'N 004°26.490'W As printed in the book (p. 50); the ring is about 0.1 nm. Printed on the OSGB36 datum. Decimal: 53.99150, -4.44150.
Wreck symbol plotted on the owner's chart: 53°59.5'N 004°26.4'W, 0.05 nm away: agrees. Read off the owner's chart plot before the book was added (kept as a check)
Access
Boat About 7 nautical miles from the nearest shore, so reached by boat.
In the owner's book (open-water wreck, page 50, fishing page 51)
Hull2/10Only a few scattered pieces remain.
Scenery2/10For enthusiasts only.
Fishing2/10Poor: generally not worth fishing.
Where: 7.3 nm south-east of Langness.
The name and the vessel type come only from the owner's chart. UKHO has no wreck of this name in the area; the nearest recorded wreck is the fishing vessel Cardea, 3.8 nm to the east.
The seabed depth was 39 m (emodnet-bathymetry) before the book was added; the book's 35 m is used.
Wooden motor fishing vessel of Ramsey, formerly a well-known local racing yacht;
Lost
5 March 1949 · Ran aground Engine failed on the way home from the Bahama Bank in a rising south-east wind; she was driven ashore between Ballavair and Shellag Point; the Ramsey lifeboat Thomas Corbett took off her two-man crew at about 12.25 am on 5 March 1949. 0 lives lost.
Wooden motor fishing vessel of Peel (PL88), 22 GRT, built 1954 in France; 15.9 x 5.1 x 1.8 m;
Lost
18 February 2001 · Collision Struck on the starboard side by the Peel boat Ocean Hunter while trawling; Marine Accident investigation blamed a poor lookout aboard Ocean Hunter and Cardea alike. Crew taken off.
Size
22 gross tons · built 1954 · 15.9 m long · 5.1 m beam
Also written: Clan Macrae (former name); Shat el Arab (earlier name)
Type
Cargo steamer
Lost
2 March 1918 · Torpedoed Torpedoed by German submarine U105 en route Bilbao to Glasgow with iron ore, about 10 nm south-west of the Calf of Man; two engine-room men killed; sank in about eight minutes. Navy found a wreck in 1945 at 53 55.200 N 04 56.200 W. 2 lives lost.
Size
2,583 gross tons · built 1892 · 93.3 m long · 12.5 m beam
Depth
64 m over the wreck, 75 m seabed Measured by echo-sounder.
53°55.341'N 004°55.264'W As printed in the book (p. 54); the ring is about 0.05 nm. WGS84. Decimal: 53.92235, -4.92107.
UK Hydrographic Office record: 53°55.341'N 004°55.264'W, 0.00 nm away: agrees. The previous primary position for this wreck (kept as a check)
Position written on the owner's chart: 53°55.35'N 004°55.22'W, 0.03 nm away: agrees. Position hand-written beside the chart, exactly as written
Wreck symbol plotted on the owner's chart: 53°55.3'N 004°55.0'W, 0.14 nm away: agrees. The wreck symbol on the plot, measured against the chart's graticule
Access
Boat About 8 nautical miles from the nearest shore, so reached by boat.
In the owner's book (open-water wreck, page 54, site description page 56, fishing page 56)
Hull10/10Intact or virtually intact.
Scenery8/10An enjoyable dive: some deterioration, usually good visibility.
Fishing6/10Plenty of fish, mostly small, with the odd bigger one.
Where: 8.1 nm south-south-west of the Calf of Man.
Built in Sunderland in 1892 and renamed more than once; owned by a London company when she sank.
Known from sonar contacts: the records we read give no diver's description of the hull.
UKHO also keeps an older approximate position (53°55'N 5°00'W, marked "dead"); this entry uses the newer GPS-based record, which agrees with the chart.
Named in the book's angling text for this wreck: Fished for at least fifteen years; pollack to 10 lb, good ling to 20 lb, conger potential, sometimes coalfish and large pouting; drift to find the shoals.
Verified position. The book's printed position and a second source agree. The UK Hydrographic Office position is 0.00 nm away (agrees). The position written on the owner's chart is 0.03 nm away (agrees). The wreck symbol plotted on the owner's chart is 0.14 nm away (agrees).
Iron steam trawler of Fleetwood (FD186), 151 GRT, built 1895 by Edwards Brothers, North Shields;
Lost
26 June 1927 · Ran aground Master and others ashore at Ramsey; a northerly gale parted her cable on 26 June 1927 and she ran onto rocks below Ballure then was driven onto the cliff foot at Mooragh; the Ramsey lifeboat Matthew Simpson rescued six men (the second engineer had gone ashore in the small boat) and she became a total wreck. 0 lives lost.
Size
151 gross tons · built 1895 · 32.3 m long · 6.3 m beam
Depth
not recorded
Seabed
not recorded
Hull condition
Broken up Lies on the beach adjacent to the cliff at a promontory about 300 m south of where Ballure Glen meets the beach; oriented north-east to south-west and accessible at all low waters; wreckage extends 32 m, 9 m wide and 1.5 m at the highest point; keel in situ, engine beds, crankshaft, boiler brackets, propeller shaft and rudderpost remain; a large section of curved hull plating lies to starboard amidships; concrete ballast visible in the forward bilge. Source: Tempus (now The History Press). Identified from the running title and the publisher named in earlier research
Position
54°18.724'N 004°21.759'W As printed in the book (p. 226); the ring is about 0.05 nm. WGS84. Decimal: 54.31207, -4.36265.
UK Hydrographic Office record: 54°18.725'N 004°21.756'W, 0.00 nm away: agrees. The UK Hydrographic Office position for a wreck of the same name.
Access
Shore The steps by the Iron Pier, Ramsey, or through Ballure Glen and along the beach.
17 March 1931 · Ran aground In haze on passage from Belfast to Trevor in ballast, ran onto the cliffs below Bradda Hill and foundered within minutes; twelve men were in the water, two survived by scaling the cliffs; ten died. 10 lives lost.
Size
582 gross tons · built 1921 · 50.4 m long · 8.2 m beam
Depth
13.5 m seabed (depth over the wreck not recorded) The book's general depth at median low water.
In the owner's book (coast wreck, page 164, site description page 166)
The book gives no ratings for coast wrecks.
Where: Just north of Bradda Head at Johnson's Bay.
Lies under a protruding rock just north of Port Erin (1975 report). Ten people died: treat the site with respect.
The seabed depth was 10 m (ukho-wrecks) before the book was added; the book's 13.5 m is used.
Before the book was added the hull was described (by ukho-wrecks, 1975) as: In 1975 a diver reported her lying on her side under a protruding rock, slowly collapsing.
30 September 1923 · Ran aground Struck a reef beside the Thousla Rock in the Blind Sound of the Calf Sound in dense fog on passage Glasgow to Liverpool with about 3,000 tons of general cargo; the nine British officers and 71 Lascars landed on the Calf; gales broke her up days later. 0 lives lost.
Size
6,563 gross tons · built 1917 · 128 m long · 16.5 m beam
Depth
14 m seabed (depth over the wreck not recorded)
Seabed
rock
Hull condition
Broken up Wreck lies across the west side of the Thousla Rock facing Cow harbour; considerable wreckage, much of it the twin boilers and engines, on bedrock in 10 to 15 m, deepening to about 20 m with sand patches, propeller shaft and the rudder marking the stern; aligned north-east to south-west; pollack and ballan wrasse very common; seals; drift dive through the Sound possible. Source: Tempus (now The History Press). Identified from the running title and the publisher named in earlier research
Position
54°03.760'N 004°47.969'W As published by UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO). WGS84. Decimal: 54.06267, -4.79948.
Access
Boat Dived from a boat as a drift through Calf Sound.
Tides and currents
A visiting diver reports a drift of 3 to 4 knots through Calf Sound, and Biosphere Isle of Man says streams around the Calf reach up to 6 knots at springs. Plan the dive for slack water or with an experienced local skipper. Tidal stream atlas
In the owner's book (coast wreck, page 167, site description page 168)
The book gives no ratings for coast wrecks.
Where: Thousla Rock, Calf Sound (Blind Sound), Calf of Man.
About this entry: Header (depth, position) not in the readable scans; the dataset keeps its previous UKHO position.
One of the best-known Manx wreck dives; 30 September 2023 was a hundred years since she was lost (Manx National Heritage).
A visiting diver reports the wreck at about 15 m and dived it as a drift through Calf Sound.
Check whether the Calf of Man and Wart Bank Marine Nature Reserve byelaws apply where you dive.
Header (depth, position) not in the readable scans; the dataset keeps its previous UKHO position.
Before the book was added the hull was described (by ukho-wrecks, 2010) as: Reported as broken up in a July 2010 note (the UKHO wording is cut short in the data we read).
Steel steamship of Liverpool, 289 GRT, completed Nov 1908 by J P Rennoldson, South Shields;
Lost
19 December 1917 · Collision Struck by another steamer (later shown to be Paragon) off the Skerries while in ballast from Dublin; the crew drifted in the lifeboat for 36 hours until picked up by the trawler Fly; the first engineer died. 1 life lost.
Size
289 gross tons · built 1908 · 38.1 m long · 6.9 m beam
31 March 1918 · Torpedoed Torpedoed while owned by the Commonwealth of Australia; the rest of the UKHO sentence is cut short in the data we read.
Size
4,312 gross tons · 114.3 m long · 14.6 m beam
Depth
79 m over the wreck, 95 m seabed Measured by echo-sounder.
Seabed
mud
Hull condition
Intact · reported 2000 (acoustic survey) Described as intact and upright, with the hatches visible on the sonar record. Source: UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO)
Position
54°04.703'N 005°11.980'W As published by UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO) (DGPS). WGS84. Decimal: 54.07838, -5.19967.
Wreck symbol plotted on the owner's chart: 54°04.8'N 005°12.0'W, 0.06 nm away: agrees. The wreck symbol on the plot, measured against the chart's graticule
Access
Boat About 13 nautical miles from the nearest shore, so reached by boat.
26 February 1918 · Torpedoed Torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine U-105 on passage from Cardiff to Scapa Flow.
Size
2,420 gross tons · 106.7 m long · 15.5 m beam
Depth
56 m over the wreck, 66 m seabed Measured by echo-sounder.
Seabed
not recorded
Hull condition
Intact · reported 1984 (acoustic survey) The sonar record shows an intact hull of the "three-island" type. Source: UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO)
Position
53°47.945'N 005°09.849'W As published by UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO) (Hi-Fix (older radio positioning)). WGS84. Decimal: 53.79908, -5.16415.
Wreck symbol plotted on the owner's chart: 53°47.7'N 005°10.0'W, 0.21 nm away: agrees. The wreck symbol on the plot, measured against the chart's graticule
Access
Boat About 18 nautical miles from the nearest shore, so reached by boat.
UKHO also lists an older approximate position (53°54'N 4°58'W, marked "dead") nearer the island; this entry uses the later sonar-based record, which matches the chart.
Iron steamship of Barrow, 325 GRT, built 1859 by W Simons and Co, Glasgow; 47.6 x 6.5 x 3.8 m;
Lost
17 July 1901 · Ran aground In dense fog on passage Garston to Larne with 345 tons of coal, crashed onto the Cletts rocks on the south side of the Calf Sound near Cow Harbour at 11.30 pm; crew of ten rowed to Port Erin. 0 lives lost.
Size
325 gross tons · built 1859 · 47.6 m long · 6.5 m beam
54°03.463'N 004°47.897'W As printed in the book (p. 174); the ring is about 0.05 nm. WGS84. Decimal: 54.05772, -4.79828.
UK Hydrographic Office record: 54°03.476'N 004°47.910'W, 0.01 nm away: agrees. The UK Hydrographic Office position for a wreck of the same name.
Access
Boat Close under the coast; the book lists slipways and beach launches by distance. Check the tide and access with a local club.
Tides and currents
Slack water falls about two hours before predicted low water to about low water, shorter on springs; the flood runs from the north-west and the ebb from the south-east, and the currents can be strong. Tidal stream atlas
In the owner's book (coast wreck, page 174, site description page 175)
The book gives no ratings for coast wrecks.
Where: The Cletts, Calf of Man, near Cow Harbour.
The book places it the Cletts, Calf of Man, near Cow Harbour.
The book names no fish for this wreck (it gives angling text for open-water wrecks only), so these are kinds of fish that suit the depth and seabed, from general references. Typical, not guaranteed.
Verified position. The book's printed position and a second source agree. The UK Hydrographic Office position is 0.01 nm away (agrees).
Steel beam trawler of Jersey (J472), based at Newlyn, built Holland 1967; 99 GRT; 25 m;
Lost
20 March 1986 · Foundered Foundered in a force 11 north-westerly storm after leaving the sole grounds; all five crew were lost (one body recovered) after a large air-sea search. 5 lives lost.
Named in the book's angling text for this wreck: Fish are prolific though not large: huge shoals of pollack (3 to 6 lb) and coalfish to 5 lb; lots of pouting; ling and cod notably absent.
Verified position. The book's printed position and a second source agree. The UK Hydrographic Office position is 0.00 nm away (agrees).
Iron screw steamer of Liverpool, 1,222 GRT, built 1872 by Doxford, Sunderland, altered 1874;
Lost
6 September 1878 · Ran aground In fog on passage Lisbon to Glasgow in ballast, struck the reef at Little Ness (Langness-beg) near Port Soderick at about 2.30 am; the Board of Trade blamed the master for navigating carelessly and not slowing or using the lead; she broke in two and became a total wreck. 0 lives lost.
Size
1,222 gross tons · built 1872 · 67 m long · 9.7 m beam
Depth
18 m seabed (depth over the wreck not recorded)
Seabed
not recorded
Hull condition
Not recorded No description of the hull has been recorded.
Position
54°04.497'N 004°30.044'W As printed in the book (p. 175); the ring is about 0.05 nm. WGS84. Decimal: 54.07495, -4.50073.
Access
Boat Close under the coast; the book lists slipways and beach launches by distance. Check the tide and access with a local club.
The book names no fish for this wreck (it gives angling text for open-water wrecks only), so these are kinds of fish that suit the depth and seabed, from general references. Typical, not guaranteed.
Unverified. One source only: the owner's book (its printed position).
Iron steamship of Ayr, 218 GRT, built 1878 by R Dixon and Co, Middlesbrough; 39.5 x 6.4 x 3.2 m;
Lost
12 December 1909 · Ran aground Ran onto rocks below the Dhoon on a dark foggy night, with the master below; holed on the starboard side and became a total wreck; the master blamed tidal effects on his lightly laden vessel; crew of seven rowed to Ramsey. 0 lives lost.
Size
218 gross tons · built 1878 · 39.5 m long · 6.4 m beam
Depth
10 m seabed (depth over the wreck not recorded)
Seabed
rock
Hull condition
Scattered debris Lies against the base of the cliffs at Black Boys Hole about 1.5 nm north-east of Laxey; heavily weeded in summer and wreckage scattered over a large area, hard to pick out; boulder seabed with some hull plates trapped under boulders (battered by winter storms); maximum depth about 10 m at high water; little tidal flow. Source: Tempus (now The History Press). Identified from the running title and the publisher named in earlier research
Position
54°14.246'N 004°22.071'W As printed in the book (p. 179); the ring is about 0.05 nm. WGS84. Decimal: 54.23743, -4.36785.
Access
Boat Close under the coast; the book lists slipways and beach launches by distance. Check the tide and access with a local club.
The book names no fish for this wreck (it gives angling text for open-water wrecks only), so these are kinds of fish that suit the depth and seabed, from general references. Typical, not guaranteed.
Unverified. One source only: the owner's book (its printed position).
54°07.437'N 004°47.152'W As printed in the book (p. 61); the ring is about 0.05 nm. WGS84. Decimal: 54.12395, -4.78587.
UK Hydrographic Office record: 54°07.41'N 004°47.11'W, 0.04 nm away: agrees. The previous primary position for this wreck (kept as a check)
Position written on the owner's chart: 54°07.45'N 004°47.15'W, 0.01 nm away: agrees. Position hand-written beside the chart, exactly as written
Wreck symbol plotted on the owner's chart: 54°07.0'N 004°46.1'W, 0.75 nm away: does not agree. The wreck symbol on the plot: 0.7 nm east-south-east of the written position, so it does not agree
Access
Boat About 1 nautical miles from the nearest shore, so reached by boat.
Named in the book's angling text for this wreck: Some pollack and coalfish but small.
Verified position. The book's printed position and a second source agree. The UK Hydrographic Office position is 0.04 nm away (agrees). The position written on the owner's chart is 0.01 nm away (agrees). The wreck symbol plotted on the owner's chart is 0.75 nm away (does not agree).
20 February 1915 UKHO quotes reports placing the sinking 8 to 10 miles north-west of the Calf of Man; the cause is not given.
Size
337 gross tons · 47.8 m long · 7.3 m beam
Depth
71 m over the wreck, 75 m seabed Measured by echo-sounder.
Seabed
sand
Hull condition
Broken up · reported 2004 (acoustic survey) Described, with a query, as breaking up, bows to the west-north-west. Source: UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO)
Position
54°08.684'N 004°56.979'W As published by UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO) (DGPS). WGS84. Decimal: 54.14473, -4.94965.
Wreck symbol plotted on the owner's chart: 54°08.6'N 004°56.9'W, 0.08 nm away: agrees. The wreck symbol on the plot, measured against the chart's graticule
Access
Boat About 7 nautical miles from the nearest shore, so reached by boat.
Built at Troon in 1898 for an owner in County Down.
UKHO also lists a second candidate for Downshire at 54°00.110'N 5°01.650'W ("probably"), where a 2006 diver report describes an upright hull with no superstructure. The chart plot supports the northern record used here.
Steel steamship of Dundalk, 794 GRT, built 1899 by A & J Inglis, Glasgow; 72 x 9.8 x 4.6 m;
Lost
14 October 1918 · Torpedoed Torpedoed on passage Liverpool to Dundalk by German submarines UB123 and U90; sank in four minutes; 21 died and 11 survived. Identity confirmed 1999 from recovered artefacts. 21 lives lost.
Size
794 gross tons · built 1899 · 72 m long · 9.8 m beam
Named in the book's angling text for this wreck: Good pollack fishing with individual fish reaching double figures in late summer; some coalfish; good potential for ling and conger; not a cod wreck.
Verified position. The book's printed position and a second source agree. The UK Hydrographic Office position is 0.04 nm away (agrees).
Iron steamship of Glasgow, 340 GRT, launched Aug 1885 by Scott and Co, Bowling; 48.8 x 7 x 3.4 m;
Lost
22 December 1889 · Ran aground Left Barrow for Ardrossan with 391 tons of pig iron; a compass deviation (probably from the cargo) took her onto rocks below Skinscoe north of Laxey at about 2.30 am; nine crew got ashore over the bow, the captain and mate stayed; broke in two in the storms of early January 1890 after about 70 tons of cargo was salved. 0 lives lost.
Size
340 gross tons · built 1885 · 48.8 m long · 7 m beam
The book names no fish for this wreck (it gives angling text for open-water wrecks only), so these are kinds of fish that suit the depth and seabed, from general references. Typical, not guaranteed.
Unverified. One source only: the owner's book (its printed position).
Iron screw steamer of Ayr, 214 GRT, built 1855 at Glasgow; 44 x 6 x 3.4 m; schooner-rigged;
Lost
20 December 1857 · Ran aground Bound from Ayr to Liverpool with about 280 tons of general cargo including pig iron; apparently set off course by compass deviation, ran onto the rocks at Niarbyl in a gale in the early hours and broke in two; thirteen of fourteen crew and one passenger died, the sole survivor being seaman John Lyon (as the book reports). 13 lives lost.
Size
214 gross tons · built 1855 · 44 m long · 6 m beam
The book names no fish for this wreck (it gives angling text for open-water wrecks only), so these are kinds of fish that suit the depth and seabed, from general references. Typical, not guaranteed.
Unverified. One source only: the owner's book (its printed position).
Iron screw packet steamship of Ayr, 247 GRT, built 1855 by Alexander A Laird; 48.2 x 6.7 x 3.9 m;
Lost
23 August 1859 · Ran aground In dense fog bound Ayr to Liverpool with livestock and pig iron plus 24 passengers, she missed her course at Ramsey Bay and struck the Carrick rock; crew and passengers rowed ashore; the hull was sold for 410 pounds and was still on the rocks on 1 October 1859. 0 lives lost.
Size
247 gross tons · built 1855 · 48.2 m long · 6.7 m beam
The book names no fish for this wreck (it gives angling text for open-water wrecks only), so these are kinds of fish that suit the depth and seabed, from general references. Typical, not guaranteed.
Unverified. One source only: the owner's book (its printed position).
Iron screw steamer of Liverpool, 582 GRT, built 1855 by Rennie, Johnson and Rankin, Liverpool;
Lost
25 January 1861 · Foundered Leaked badly in a south-westerly gale on passage Liverpool to London; abandoned and sank about 30 nm north-east of Point Lynas; all aboard survived in two lifeboats. 0 lives lost.
Size
582 gross tons · built 1855 · 56.9 m long · 7.8 m beam
The book names no fish for this wreck (no angling information was readable), so these are kinds of fish that suit the depth and seabed, from general references. Typical, not guaranteed.
Verified position. The book's printed position and a second source agree. The UK Hydrographic Office position is 0.00 nm away (agrees).
9 November 2002 · Ran aground Struck an outlying rock called the Cleats on the south of the Calf of Man while returning from scalloping; foundered about half a mile off the south-east corner of the Calf; both crew were rescued by the Heather Maid. 0 lives lost.
Size
30 gross tons · 15.3 m long · 5.3 m beam
Depth
27 m over the wreck, 41 m seabed Measured by diver. depth taken from the wreck-site text, header unreadable
Seabed
sand
Hull condition
Intact · reported 2004 (diver sighting) Described as intact, listing to starboard, bows to the north-east. Source: UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO)
Position
54°02.64'N 004°47.84'W As published by UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO) (GPS). WGS84. Decimal: 54.04400, -4.79733.
In the owner's book (open-water wreck, page 70, site description page 72, fishing page 72)
Hullnot rated
Scenerynot rated
Fishingnot rated
About this entry: Header block (stars, depth, position) on page 69 is out of focus in the scan and could not be read. depth taken from the wreck-site text, header unreadable
A recent loss (November 2002) near the Calf of Man. The description dates from 2004, so a wooden hull may have changed since.
Header block (stars, depth, position) on page 69 is out of focus in the scan and could not be read.
The seabed depth differs: ukho-wrecks gave 35 m and the book 41 m (the book's is shown).
Named in the book's angling text for this wreck: Newly colonised; small pollack and the occasional ballan wrasse expected; close to shore so not offshore quality, but a useful fallback when weather prevents going further out.
Unverified. One source only: the UK Hydrographic Office record. Not yet cross-checked against a second position.
Steel steamship of Liverpool, 758 GRT, launched 29 Oct 1925 by John Duthie Torry Shipbuilding Co,...
Lost
10 December 1939 · Collision Cut through by the mail steamer Duke of Lancaster near the Point of Ayre on passage Liverpool to Glasgow; a fireman died; the crew were taken off by the Duke of Lancaster and the Ramsey lifeboat. Wreck blasted by salvors in the 1940s. 1 life lost.
Size
758 gross tons · built 1925 · 58 m long · 9.8 m beam
Depth
33 m seabed (depth over the wreck not recorded)
Seabed
gravel
Hull condition
Largely intact Lies on a shingle seabed in a scour about 33 m deep; rises about 5 m; about 60 m by 10 m, north-south with the bow south; still fairly intact with plumrose anemones; stern cavern with intact rudder and propeller; bow with anchor in place can be entered; one of the two boilers spilled into the scour; demolition damage above deck level. Source: Tempus (now The History Press). Identified from the running title and the publisher named in earlier research
Position
54°26.080'N 004°21.990'W As printed in the book (p. 73); the ring is about 0.05 nm. WGS84. Decimal: 54.43467, -4.36650.
Access
Boat Reached by boat: 1.1 nm north of the Point of Ayre. The book lists the slipways and beach launches by distance.
Named in the book's angling text for this wreck: Large shoals of pollack in late summer and autumn; ballan wrasse large and common; many fine conger though the strong tide makes anchoring for them hard; cod and ling possible on occasion.
Unverified. One source only: the owner's book (its printed position).
18 September 1889 · Foundered Leaving Garston for Belfast with coal, apparently overloaded with an insecurely sheeted hatch; flooded aft and went down in a south-westerly gale about ten miles off the Chickens; one man, William O'Neill, survived; ten died. 10 lives lost.
Size
268 gross tons · built 1882 · 44.8 m long · 6.8 m beam
Depth
45 m over the wreck, 50 m seabed Measured by echo-sounder.
53°54.997'N 004°39.415'W As printed in the book (p. 77); the ring is about 0.05 nm. WGS84. Decimal: 53.91662, -4.65692.
UK Hydrographic Office record: 53°54.997'N 004°39.415'W, 0.00 nm away: agrees. The previous primary position for this wreck (kept as a check)
Position written on the owner's chart: 53°54.99'N 004°39.41'W, 0.01 nm away: agrees. Position hand-written beside the chart, exactly as written (a graticule line crosses the last digits)
Wreck symbol plotted on the owner's chart: 53°55.0'N 004°39.3'W, 0.10 nm away: agrees. The wreck symbol on the plot, measured against the chart's graticule
Access
Boat About 8 nautical miles from the nearest shore, so reached by boat.
In the owner's book (open-water wreck, page 77, site description page 80, fishing page 80)
Hull10/10Intact or virtually intact.
Scenery8/10An enjoyable dive: some deterioration, usually good visibility.
Fishing8/10Generally excellent fishing, though a species or two may be missing.
Where: 8.3 nm south-south-west of Langness.
A small coal steamer of 1882, owned in Liverpool.
No scour was seen round the hull in 1991.
UKHO holds a second, approximate record, Florence (possibly), at 54°02.0'N 4°50.1'W, marked "dead"; it is not this wreck's position.
Before the book was added the hull was described (by ukho-wrecks, 1996) as: Described as intact and upright. A survey vessel measured it at about 40 m long and 4.7 m high in January 1991.
Named in the book's angling text for this wreck: Usually productive with a full range of species: pollack and coalfish to 10 lb plentiful, ling available, shoals of cod on occasion, conger to 30 lb caught, plus mackerel, pouting, gurnards and whiting.
Verified position. The book's printed position and a second source agree. The UK Hydrographic Office position is 0.00 nm away (agrees). The position written on the owner's chart is 0.01 nm away (agrees). The wreck symbol plotted on the owner's chart is 0.10 nm away (agrees).
Iron steam paddle tug of Glasgow, 127 GRT, built 1864 by Blackwood and Gordon, Port Glasgow;
Lost
13 March 1874 · Foundered While towing the barque Ravensbourne from Liverpool to Troon, a broken connecting-rod strap let the lever handle puncture an iron hull plate; she foundered in fine weather and all nine crew crossed to the barque. 0 lives lost.
Size
127 gross tons · built 1864 · 34 m long · 5.7 m beam
Wooden motor fishing vessel of Peel (PL45), 12 GRT, built 1946 by Tyrrell, Arklow;
Lost
1 May 1992 · Ran aground Ran aground on a falling tide off Niarbyl on 1 May 1992 (thought to be about 3 miles off in the crew's estimate, but within a quarter of a mile); the Port Erin lifeboat took off both crew; refloated by the tide but driven ashore again at Traie Vrish, and was a total wreck. 0 lives lost.
Size
12 gross tons · built 1946 · 14.9 m long · 4.6 m beam
Steamship of Ayr, 81 GRT, wooden hull on a steel frame, built 1911 at Fraserburgh;
Lost
12 October 1932 · Foundered Sprang a leak about seven miles south-east of Maughold Head on passage Ayr to Salcombe with coal; crew rescued by the Fleetwood trawler Peter Lovett. 0 lives lost.
Size
81 gross tons · built 1911 · 25.2 m long · 5.8 m beam
The book names no fish for this wreck (no angling information was readable), so these are kinds of fish that suit the depth and seabed, from general references. Typical, not guaranteed.
Verified position. The book's printed position and a second source agree. The UK Hydrographic Office position is 0.01 nm away (agrees).
Steel steamship of Belfast (ex Clareisland), 633 GRT, launched Sept 1915 by Scott and Sons,...
Lost
15 February 1940 · Ran aground Left Garston for Belfast with coal and ran onto rocks below Ballaskeig Farm at 10.50 pm; badly holed; crew of ten abandoned in two small boats and were picked up by the Ramsey lifeboat; became a total loss over the following weeks. 0 lives lost.
Size
633 gross tons · built 1915 · 55 m long · 8.7 m beam
Depth
15 m seabed (depth over the wreck not recorded)
Seabed
sand
Hull condition
Broken up Easy to locate at low water: the boiler stands on end, breaks the surface and partly dries; engine, winches, hull plating and ribs dry at low water or lie in under 10 m; forward and middle sections covered in kelp in summer; stern remains off the rocks, partly buried in sand at 15 m, with propeller visible; no tidal problem. Source: Tempus (now The History Press). Identified from the running title and the publisher named in earlier research
Position
54°16.380'N 004°20.121'W As printed in the book (p. 186); the ring is about 0.05 nm. WGS84. Decimal: 54.27300, -4.33535.
UK Hydrographic Office record: 54°16.317'N 004°20.389'W, 0.17 nm away: does not agree. The UK Hydrographic Office position for a wreck of the same name.
Access
Boat Close under the coast; the book lists slipways and beach launches by distance. Check the tide and access with a local club.
The book names no fish for this wreck (it gives angling text for open-water wrecks only), so these are kinds of fish that suit the depth and seabed, from general references. Typical, not guaranteed.
Unverified. The sources disagree: ukho-wrecks is 0.17 nm from the position used. The book's position is used because it is the main source.
Steel steamship of Belfast, 716 GRT, completed April 1917 by J Fullerton and Co, Paisley;
Lost
7 December 1944 · Air attack Attacked at night in snow squalls by an aircraft later found to be British, which mistook her for an enemy ship, while carrying empty petrol cans from Larne to Ellesmere Port; set on fire and holed; three crew died, the rest picked up by HMS Clare. 3 lives lost.
Size
716 gross tons · built 1917 · 57.9 m long · 9 m beam
Named in the book's angling text for this wreck: Fishing has not produced good results, probably due to poor visibility and the muddy seabed; pollack to 10 lb and pouting have been taken.
Unverified. One source only: the owner's book (its printed position).
Steel motor vessel of Groningen (ex Amasus Fluenis), 296 GRT, launched 22 Sept 1949 by...
Lost
5 February 1963 · Ran aground Laden with 200 tons of coal, left Garston on 4 Feb 1963; in a 60 mph south-east blizzard she struck rocks at Keristal at 4 am on 5 February; the eight crew were taken off by breeches buoy and cliff ladder by the Coastguard Rocket Brigade; became a total wreck. 0 lives lost.
Size
296 gross tons · built 1949 · 39.7 m long · 7 m beam
54°07.657'N 004°30.752'W As printed in the book (p. 231); the ring is about 0.05 nm. WGS84. Decimal: 54.12762, -4.51253.
UK Hydrographic Office record: 54°07.409'N 004°31.671'W, 0.59 nm away: does not agree. The UK Hydrographic Office position for a wreck of the same name.
Access
Boat Not recommended except by boat landing on the shingle beach.
CollapsedVerified positionTug, dredger or work boat
Type
Wooden paddle tug, 505 tons displacement, launched 21 March 1868 by Whites of Cowes for the...
Lost
19 November 1919 · Foundered Sold for breaking up in 1919; broke adrift from her tug Aid on passage Holyhead to Stranraer and was last seen waterlogged about ten miles south of the Calf of Man. 0 lives lost.
Size
tonnage not recorded · built 1868 · 39 m long · 7.7 m beam
Named in the book's angling text for this wreck: Pollack and coalfish predominate, mostly 4 to 7 lb with fish to about 10 lb; chance of ling and occasionally cod.
Verified position. The book's printed position and a second source agree. The UK Hydrographic Office position is 0.00 nm away (agrees).
Iron screw steamer of Glasgow, 334 GRT, built 1875 by H Murray and Co, Port Glasgow;
Lost
12 August 1894 · Collision Run down at night by the Isle of Man Steam Packet paddle steamer Prince of Wales on passage Garston to Glasgow with coal; two of her ten crew died, the rest were taken off by the Prince of Wales. 2 lives lost.
Size
334 gross tons · built 1875 · 44.3 m long · 6.9 m beam
Depth
38 m seabed (depth over the wreck not recorded)
Seabed
sand
Hull condition
Collapsed Identity confirmed in August 1993 by her brass wheel hub, inscribed with her builders' name (H. Murray of Port Glasgow). Upright, rising about 4 m in 38 m; about 40 m by 10 m, roughly north/south. Much deteriorated but an interesting dive: the big boiler and engine towards the stern are the highest point, the rest of the stern is very broken and low, the hold amidships seems to vanish into the seabed, and a very broken forecastle and bow rise again further forward. Lobsters and crabs; big shoals of fish overhead. Source: Tempus (now The History Press). Identified from the running title and the publisher named in earlier research
Position
53°57.126'N 004°00.508'W As printed in the book (p. 87); the ring is about 0.05 nm. WGS84. Decimal: 53.95210, -4.00847.
UK Hydrographic Office record: 53°57.128'N 004°00.508'W, 0.00 nm away: agrees. The UK Hydrographic Office position for a wreck of the same name.
Access
Boat Reached by boat: 20 nm south-east of Douglas Head. The book lists the slipways and beach launches by distance.
Tides and currents
The flood runs from the west-south-west and the ebb from the east-north-east. Slack water comes at about the predicted high and low water times, from about half an hour before to three quarters of an hour after, and is shorter on spring tides. Tidal stream atlas
In the owner's book (open-water wreck, page 87, site description page 91, fishing page 91)
Hull6/10Collapsed, but the outline of the ship can still be made out.
Scenery8/10An enjoyable dive: some deterioration, usually good visibility.
Fishing8/10Generally excellent fishing, though a species or two may be missing.
Where: 20 nm south-east of Douglas Head.
The book places it 20 nm south-east of Douglas Head.
Named in the book's angling text for this wreck: Large numbers of pollack and coalfish, mostly 5 to 10 lb with the odd double-figure fish, best June to October; cod sometimes and the occasional ling; conger in the wreck and plenty of troublesome pouting.
Verified position. The book's printed position and a second source agree. The UK Hydrographic Office position is 0.00 nm away (agrees).
Not recordedChart-read positionIdentity possibleNaval vessel
Also written: HMS Champagne?
Approximate position. Read off a chart plot, so it could be about 0.5 nautical miles out in any direction. Do not rely on it.
Type
Armed merchant cruiser (per uboat.net)
Lost
9 October 1917 · Torpedoed Torpedoed by the German submarine U 96 (uboat.net). That site gives 58 lives lost; another source gives 56. 58 lives lost.
Size
5,360 gross tons Built by Harland & Wolff, Belfast, in 1895.
Depth
128 m seabed (depth over the wreck not recorded) Measured by interpolated from the EMODnet grid at the plotted position. The seabed depth, not the depth over the wreck. The chart prints 127.
Seabed
not recorded
Hull condition
Not recorded No description of the hull has been recorded.
Position
54°17.1'N 005°06.2'W Read from a chart plot (about 0.5 nm either way). Datum not stated. Read from the wreck symbol the owner's arrow points to on the colour chart, against its ruled latitude and longitude scales. Decimal: 54.28490, -5.10350.
Another source: 54°17'N 005°10'W, 2.22 nm away: does not agree. The position uboat.net gives for the loss, to the nearest minute: 2.3 nm west-south-west of the plotted symbol
Access
Boat About 14 nautical miles from the nearest shore, so reached by boat.
The nearest UKHO wreck record to the plotted symbol is the fishing vessel Audentia (lost 2001), 0.1 nm away; UKHO has no HMS Champagne record in this area.
Lives were lost: whichever wreck lies here, treat it with respect.
Kinds of fish that suit this depth and seabed, from general references; none is recorded at this wreck itself. Typical, not guaranteed.
Chart-read position. Read from the chart plot only (about 0.5 nm), and the identification carries the owner's question mark. uboat.net's reported position for HMS Champagne lies 2.3 nm away, so the match is not established.
Royal Navy brig of 18 guns, 385 tons burthen, built of wood by Hamilton and Breed of Hastings and launched on 17 February 1806
Lost
14 December 1822 · Ran aground Sent from Milford Haven to Douglas to collect the crew of the cutter Vigilant; misjudging the Calf and Langness lights in the dark, she struck the Skerranes at Langness Point on the evening of 14 December 1822. A Castletown boat took her crew off in several trips, but on the last run back a wave swamped it and eight men drowned: five of her crew and three local rescuers. A ship's boy had drowned earlier trying to get into a boat. A court martial blamed the master and the pilot for navigational error. 9 lives lost.
Size
tonnage not recorded · built 1806
Depth
10 m seabed (depth over the wreck not recorded) The book's general depth at median low water.
Seabed
rock
Hull condition
Scattered debris Located by divers in 1968 (Brian King, then the Corlett brothers); wreckage of ballast, nails, cannon balls, musket balls and a cannon marked with the Admiralty broad arrow. Most of the wreckage lies in a gulley about 30 m south of the Skerranes on an east-west axis, about 10 m deep at low water, with rocks rising to within a couple of metres of the surface; heavy kelp; stones and pebbles with concreted debris. Artefacts are in the Manx Museum. Source: Tempus (now The History Press). Identified from the running title and the publisher named in earlier research
Position
54°03.145'N 004°38.000'W As printed in the book (p. 207); the ring is about 0.05 nm. WGS84. Decimal: 54.05242, -4.63333.
UK Hydrographic Office record: 54°03.13'N 004°37.80'W, 0.12 nm away: agrees. The previous primary position for this wreck (kept as a check)
Access
Boat Close inshore off Dreswick Point, Langness; the book lists slipways by distance. A protected site: see the notes before diving.
Tides and currents
Strong tides: the flood runs through the gulley from the west at two to three knots or more on springs; the water is slack on the ebb except for the first hour, when it runs south. Tidal stream atlas
In the owner's book (coast wreck, page 207, site description page 210)
The book gives no ratings for coast wrecks.
Where: Dreswick Point, Langness (the Skerranes).
Getting there: Castletown (1.5 nm): slipway usable for three hours either side of high water. Port St Mary (3.6 nm) and Douglas (8.1 nm): slipways at all states of the tide.
A historic wreck: UKHO gives its status as "historic". BSAC says the Isle of Man Sub-Aqua Club owns the site and dives it regularly, so ask the club and Manx National Heritage before diving.
Her 385 tons is builders' measurement, not gross tonnage, so no gross tonnage is shown.
A protected wreck site under Manx law: permission is needed to dive within the restricted area (see the site description).
The book's position is 0.12 nm from the earlier position for this wreck; the book's is used.
Before the book was added the hull was described (by ukho-wrecks, 1975) as: A 1975 diver report found her remains on rocky seabed with small gullies, with a few cannon and cannonballs lying around.
Wooden motor fishing vessel of Kilkeel (N141), 43.5 GRT, built 1949 by J G Forbes, Sandhaven;
Lost
17 June 1978 · Ran aground On passage Whitehaven to Kilkeel she went aground at Gibdale Bay on the north coast of the Calf of Man at about 6 am; the Port Erin lifeboat Osman Gabriel failed to tow her off and took off her six crew into a life raft. 0 lives lost.
Size
43.5 gross tons · built 1949 · 20.3 m long · 6 m beam
The book names no fish for this wreck (it gives angling text for open-water wrecks only), so these are kinds of fish that suit the depth and seabed, from general references. Typical, not guaranteed.
Unverified. One source only: the owner's book (its printed position).
Steel steamship of Liverpool, 3,575 GRT, built 1902 by Hall, Russell and Co, Aberdeen; 106.8 x 13.2 x 8.5 m; Charente Steamship Co
Lost
28 March 1918 · Torpedoed Torpedoed by U96 about ten nm south-west of Burrow Head on passage Liverpool to Pernambuco with coal and general cargo; sunk by gunfire; three firemen died. 3 lives lost.
Size
3,575 gross tons · built 1902 · 106.8 m long · 13.2 m beam
Depth
48 m seabed (depth over the wreck not recorded)
Seabed
not recorded
Hull condition
Intact Never positively identified, but no other ship of her size was lost between Burrow Head and the Point of Ayre. Lies on her side, rising about 16 m; about 110 m by 20 m on an east-south-east/west-north-west axis; broken about halfway, the two big halves lying slightly out of line. Cavernous holds; a diver died inside some years before the book; old shells lie in the wreckage and should be left alone. Experienced divers only. Source: Tempus (now The History Press). Identified from the running title and the publisher named in earlier research
Position
54°35.448'N 004°24.885'W As printed in the book (p. 91); the ring is about 0.05 nm. WGS84. Decimal: 54.59080, -4.41475.
UK Hydrographic Office record: 54°35.448'N 004°24.885'W, 0.00 nm away: agrees. The UK Hydrographic Office position for a wreck of the same name.
Access
Boat Reached by boat: 10.7 nm north of the Point of Ayre. The book lists the slipways and beach launches by distance.
In the owner's book (open-water wreck, page 91, site description page 93, fishing page 94)
Hull10/10Intact or virtually intact.
Scenery10/10An excellent dive: largely intact, plenty to see, usually good visibility.
Fishing8/10Generally excellent fishing, though a species or two may be missing.
Where: 10.7 nm north of the Point of Ayre.
Getting there: Ramsey (16.4 nm): slipway two hours either side of high water, or launch from the beach in front of the lifeboat house. Peel (24.5 nm): slipway at all states of the tide.
About this entry: Header read from the owner's photograph of p. 91.
The book places it 10.7 nm north of the Point of Ayre.
UKHO also keeps an older approximate record for the Inkosi about 1.9 nm to the west-south-west (wreck_id 5351); the newer GPS-based record agrees with the book.
Iron clipper ship of Liverpool, 979 GRT, built 1862 by T Vernon and Son, Birkenhead;
Lost
5 January 1867 · Ran aground Homeward bound from Calcutta, ran onto rocks at Dreswick Point in a severe south-easterly gale with snow squalls; all thirty crew, two passengers and the captain's son died; insured with a cargo worth about 125,000 pounds. 30 lives lost.
Size
979 gross tons · built 1862 · 61.3 m long · 10.1 m beam
The book names no fish for this wreck (it gives angling text for open-water wrecks only), so these are kinds of fish that suit the depth and seabed, from general references. Typical, not guaranteed.
Unverified. One source only: the owner's book (its printed position).
Scattered debrisUnverifiedIdentity probableType not recorded
Type
Vessel details (pp. 236-237) not among the pages read; she carried an export cargo of earthenware and gunflints
Lost
1834 The pages telling her loss (pp. 236-237) were not among those read; the book's references (Lloyd's List of 18 November 1834 and the Manx Sun of 21 November 1834) place it in November 1834.
54°04.135'N 004°40.897'W As printed in the book (p. 235); the ring is about 0.05 nm. WGS84. Decimal: 54.06892, -4.68162.
Access
Shore A shore site on the rocky coast at Poyll Vaaish, between Castletown and Port St Mary (map reference SC 246 670). The book's directions were not among the pages read.
In the owner's book (shore wreck, page 235, site description page 239)
The book gives no ratings for shore wrecks.
Where: Poyll Vaaish, between Castletown and Port St Mary · map reference SC 246 670.
About this entry: Header and wreck-site pages read from the owner's photographs (pp. 235 and 238-239); the vessel and history pages (pp. 236-237) were not among them.
A 1999 study of the pottery by Professor Peter J. Davey sorted the finds into six kinds: mostly plain white ware, then red transfer-printed ware (from designs used by the potter William Adams), dipped, sponge-decorated and painted wares, and shell-edged ware, much of it probably from Staffordshire. Most of the gunflints are of a type made for muskets and carbines.
Report anything you find on a wreck site to the Receiver of Wreck.
Fish typical for a wreck like this
Not enough is recorded about this site to suggest any.
Unverified. One source only: the owner's book (its printed position).
Steel steam trawler of Aberdeen (A186), 276 GRT, built 1919 by Hepple and Co, South Shields as an...
Lost
28 December 1921 · Collision Struck by the Grimsby trawler Cuirasse in a west-north-west gale in Ramsey Bay while sheltering; all ten crew jumped to the Fleetwood trawler Jacinta. 0 lives lost.
Size
276 gross tons · built 1919 · 37.5 m long · 7.1 m beam
Named in the book's angling text for this wreck: Large number of fish in summer, none large but good variety: shoals of pollack, coalfish and mackerel; conger to 20 lb, ling to 10 lb, plenty of pouting; codling, gurnards, whiting and tope on occasion.
Unverified. One source only: the owner's book (its printed position).
26 February 1905 · Foundered Sprang a serious leak in a south-westerly gale on passage Garston to Belfast with 160 tons of coal; the crew took to the small boat and landed at Gatwick in Laxey Bay. 0 lives lost.
Size
161 gross tons · built 1882 · 32 m long · 6.6 m beam
Depth
25.5 m over the wreck, 29 m seabed Measured by diver.
Wooden schooner of Caernarfon, 73 tons net, built 1847 by J Parry, Bangor; 19 x 5 x 2.7 m
Lost
14 October 1902 · Foundered Disappeared with all three hands after leaving the Menai Straits for Ayr with slates; a sunken vessel with masts showing was reported about a month later east of the Bahama Lightship. 3 lives lost.
Size
tonnage not recorded · built 1847 · 19 m long · 5 m beam
27 February 1918 The master gave the sinking as 10 or 12 miles west of the Calf of Man; the cause is not in the part of the record we could read.
Size
1,764 gross tons
Depth
87 m over the wreck, 94 m seabed Measured by echo-sounder.
Seabed
mud
Hull condition
Intact · reported 1984 (acoustic survey) Described as intact, lying on its side. Source: UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO)
Position
54°04.659'N 005°07.450'W As published by UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO) (Hi-Fix (older radio positioning)). WGS84. Decimal: 54.07765, -5.12417.
Wreck symbol plotted on the owner's chart: 54°04.7'N 005°07.3'W, 0.11 nm away: agrees. The wreck symbol on the plot, measured against the chart's graticule
Access
Boat About 10 nautical miles from the nearest shore, so reached by boat.
Wooden motor fishing vessel of Peel (PL3), 25 GRT, built in Norway 1956; 14.9 m; 133 hp diesel;
Lost
14 August 1983 · Foundered Took in water in a force 5 southerly sea; her three crew jumped into their life raft a minute before she sank and were landed at Ramsey by the lifeboat. 0 lives lost.
Not recordedVerified positionIdentity probableSailing vessel
Type
Wooden brig of Liverpool, 196 tons burden; owners Hatten and Cookson, Liverpool
Lost
27 December 1852 · Ran aground Liverpool to Ambrizo (south-west Africa) with a general cargo including rum, firearms and fifty tons of gunpowder, driven ashore at Kitterland in the Calf Sound by a storm on 27 December 1852; the master, cook and two boys drowned and the carpenter was killed by a falling mast; next day, a fire in the hold led to a huge gunpowder explosion that killed 29 salvers from Port St Mary and the area and left one survivor. 34 lives lost.
Size
tonnage not recorded
Depth
not recorded
Seabed
rock
Hull condition
Not recorded No description of the hull has been recorded.
Position
54°03.764'N 004°47.596'W As printed in the book (p. 239); the ring is about 0.05 nm. WGS84. Decimal: 54.06273, -4.79327.
UK Hydrographic Office record: 54°03.676'N 004°47.769'W, 0.13 nm away: agrees. The previous primary position for this wreck (kept as a check)
Scenery8/10An enjoyable dive: some deterioration, usually good visibility.
Fishing6/10Plenty of fish, mostly small, with the odd bigger one.
About this entry: Page 102 is out of focus: only the three star ratings (5, 4, 3) are legible; depth, position, vessel and loss details could not be read confidently.
Page 102 is out of focus: only the three star ratings (5, 4, 3) are legible; depth, position, vessel and loss details could not be read confidently.
Fish typical for a wreck like this
Not enough is recorded about this site to suggest any.
Unverified. One source only: the UK Hydrographic Office record; the book's header for this wreck could not be read, so it has not been checked against the book.
20 December 1916 · Mine Struck a mine at 11.30 pm on 19 December 1916 about eleven miles south-east by south of the Chickens on passage Liverpool to Sligo; three men died in the explosion; taken in tow by the steamship Ruby but sank on the morning of 20 December; survivors landed at Clydebank. 3 lives lost.
Size
686 gross tons · built 1892 · 61.8 m long · 8.9 m beam
Depth
31 m over the wreck, 38 m seabed Measured by wire-drag sweep.
Named in the book's angling text for this wreck: Not a particularly good angling wreck: moderate numbers of pollack to 5 lb in summer and autumn; occasional large coalfish shoals; ling to 20 lb; pout, ballan and cuckoo wrasse; very large conger seen, with potential for fish over 60 lb if anchored correctly.
Verified position. The book's printed position and a second source agree. The UK Hydrographic Office position is 0.00 nm away (agrees).
Steel steamship of Liverpool, 155 GRT, built 1899 by Scott and Sons, Bowling; 27.4 x 6.3 x 2.9 m;
Lost
21 July 1910 · Foundered Sprang a leak and foundered about fourteen miles south-south-east of Douglas Head carrying moulding sand from Weston Point to Douglas; her crew of four took to the small boat and were picked up by a trawler and landed at Fleetwood. 0 lives lost.
Size
155 gross tons · built 1899 · 27.4 m long · 6.3 m beam
Named in the book's angling text for this wreck: Large numbers of pollack from June to October, mostly 4 to 8 lb with a chance of double figures; coalfish shoals of similar size; cod in July and August in varying numbers; ling sometimes; pouting.
Verified position. The book's printed position and a second source agree. The UK Hydrographic Office position is 0.00 nm away (agrees).
2 March 1941 · Ran aground On passage Liverpool to Glasgow with flour and soap, struck rocks off Langness at 2.30 am in heavy rain; the propeller blades sheared off; the eleven crew rowed ashore; cargo salvaged and much of the wreck cut up for scrap. 0 lives lost.
Size
348 gross tons · built 1905 · 44.7 m long · 7.2 m beam
Depth
15 m seabed (depth over the wreck not recorded) The book's general depth at median low water.
Seabed
not recorded
Hull condition
Scattered debris · reported 1991 (survey note) Little remains: in 1991 the engine block was still visible at low water, with the salvage contractor's concrete plinth. Source: UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO)
Position
54°04.155'N 004°36.610'W As printed in the book (p. 191); the ring is about 0.05 nm. WGS84. Decimal: 54.06925, -4.61017.
UK Hydrographic Office record: 54°04.21'N 004°36.57'W, 0.06 nm away: agrees. The previous primary position for this wreck (kept as a check)
Access
Shore The engine block shows at low water on the north-east side of Langness, near the Golf Links Hotel (1991 report).
Norwegian iron screw steamer of Christiania (Oslo), ex Glanwern, 915 GRT, built 1882 by W. Doxford and Sons, Sunderland; 64.6 x 9.1 x 4.7 m; single well deck, compound steam engine
Lost
23 November 1905 · Collision Bound from Porsgrund in Norway to Manchester with general cargo, she was struck amidships at 2 am by the West Hartlepool steamer Frieda, in very rough seas about twelve miles south-south-west of Langness. Fifteen of her crew got away in her lifeboat and were picked up by the Frieda, which landed them at Maryport; the cook, Anderson, was lost. 1 life lost.
Size
915 gross tons · built 1882 · 64.6 m long · 9.1 m beam
53°52.080'N 004°35.025'W As printed in the book (p. 109); the ring is about 0.05 nm. WGS84. Decimal: 53.86800, -4.58375.
UK Hydrographic Office record: 53°52.082'N 004°35.023'W, 0.00 nm away: agrees. The UK Hydrographic Office position for the wreck at this spot, which it names, tentatively, as the Saint Mirren ("possibly").
Access
Boat Reached by boat: 11.2 nm south of Langness. The book lists the slipways and beach launches by distance.
In the owner's book (open-water wreck, page 109, site description page 110, fishing page 111)
Hull10/10Intact or virtually intact.
Scenery10/10An excellent dive: largely intact, plenty to see, usually good visibility.
Fishing10/10Consistently good, with fish both large and plentiful.
Where: 11.2 nm south of Langness.
Getting there: Castletown (12.4 nm): slipway three hours either side of high water. Port St Mary (13.2 nm) and Douglas (17.2 nm): slipways at all states of the tide.
About this entry: Header, vessel and history read from the owner's photograph of p. 109.
The book places it 11.2 nm south of Langness.
The UK Hydrographic Office lists the wreck at this position as possibly the Saint Mirren; the book identifies it as the Manchester from her bell, and that is the name shown.
Named in the book's angling text for this wreck: Large numbers of pollack, mostly 5 to 10 lb with the odd bigger fish, and large coalfish, best at full flow on spring tides; a good chance of ling and conger at slack water.
Verified position. The book's printed position and a second source agree: the UK Hydrographic Office has a wreck 0.00 nm away (agrees), though it names it, tentatively, as the Saint Mirren.
19 March 1904 · Ran aground Point of Ayre to Laxey with 100 tons of coal; in fog the master misjudged his position from a sounding and she struck rocks under Meary Voar near Santon Head at about 9.50 pm; the crew of six got ashore after the small boat was smashed; hull and cargo were sold as a total wreck. 0 lives lost.
Size
tonnage not recorded · built 1890 · 23.8 m long · 5.5 m beam
54°06.071'N 004°33.462'W As printed in the book (p. 241); the ring is about 0.05 nm. WGS84. Decimal: 54.10118, -4.55770.
Access
Shore Car park at Port Grenaugh, then follow the coastal footpath northwards; after Meary Voar Farm a cove with a stream is reached; the site lies on the rocky shore.
In the owner's book (shore wreck, page 241, site description page 243)
The book gives no ratings for shore wrecks.
Where: Meary Voar, near Santon Head · map reference SC 329 703.
Getting there: Car park at Port Grenaugh, then follow the coastal footpath northwards; after Meary Voar Farm a cove with a stream is reached; the site lies on the rocky shore.
The book places it meary Voar, near Santon Head.
Fish typical for a wreck like this
Not enough is recorded about this site to suggest any.
Unverified. One source only: the owner's book (its printed position).
12 September 1945 · Collision Sank after a collision with the steamer Cornelius Ford; the rest of the UKHO sentence is cut short in the data we read.
Size
2,302 gross tons · 86.6 m long · 12.8 m beam
Depth
109 m over the wreck, 116 m seabed Measured by echo-sounder.
Seabed
mud
Hull condition
Not recorded No description of the hull has been recorded.
Position
54°13.308'N 005°02.367'W As published by UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO) (Hi-Fix (older radio positioning)). WGS84. Decimal: 54.22180, -5.03945.
Wreck symbol plotted on the owner's chart: 54°16.6'N 004°51.3'W, 7.25 nm away: does not agree. The symbol the owner's arrow points to. It lies 7.2 nm from the UKHO position, and within 0.2 nm of a different UKHO wreck, the trawler Oona Hall (158 GT, lost 1940)
Access
Boat About 11 nautical miles from the nearest shore, so reached by boat.
Built at Sunderland in 1930 and flying the Danish flag. Found in 1969 when a fishing vessel snagged it, and detected by sonar since (last in 1975).
UKHO lists this identification as "possibly".
The owner's book places the trawler Oona Hall at the symbol the chart arrow points to (the two positions are 0.15 nm apart), which supports reading that symbol as Oona Hall rather than Marianne Toft.
Kinds of fish that suit this depth and seabed, from general references; none is recorded at this wreck itself. Typical, not guaranteed.
Unverified. One source only: UKHO (listed as "possibly" Marianne Toft). The owner's chart arrow points to a symbol 7.2 nm to the north-east that corresponds to the trawler Oona Hall, so the two disagree; the UKHO position is shown and the chart's spot is kept as a check. Please confirm which is right.
Not recordedUnverifiedIdentity probableSailing vessel
Type
Three-masted wooden auxiliary schooner of Truro, 168 GRT, completed Oct 1891 by W H Lean, Falmouth;
Lost
27 September 1938 · Ran aground Left Ayr for Truro with 230 tons of coal and in thick fog ran onto a reef at Gibdale Bay on the Calf of Man at about 4 am; the crew of five were rescued (rest of the text partly cut off). 0 lives lost.
Size
168 gross tons · built 1891 · 31.4 m long · 7.3 m beam
Depth
16 m seabed (depth over the wreck not recorded)
Seabed
not recorded
Hull condition
Not recorded No description of the hull has been recorded.
Position
54°03.612'N 004°48.784'W As printed in the book (p. 192); the ring is about 0.05 nm. WGS84. Decimal: 54.06020, -4.81307.
Access
Boat Close under the coast; the book lists slipways and beach launches by distance. Check the tide and access with a local club.
The book names no fish for this wreck (it gives angling text for open-water wrecks only), so these are kinds of fish that suit the depth and seabed, from general references. Typical, not guaranteed.
Unverified. One source only: the owner's book (its printed position).
Steel steam trawler of Lowestoft, 162 GRT, built 1937 by the Goole Steam Boat and Repairing Co;
Lost
1950 · Ran aground Went ashore north of Onchan harbour; the Douglas lifeboat took off her ten crew at the second attempt; she was badly holed, flooded at high water and became a total loss, partly salvaged where she lay (in May 1950, from the press references; the exact day was not read). 0 lives lost.
Size
162 gross tons · built 1937 · 30.9 m long · 6.5 m beam
Depth
12.5 m seabed (depth over the wreck not recorded)
Seabed
not recorded
Hull condition
Broken up A surprising amount of wreckage still lies in kelp-rich gullies close under the cliffs; the boiler is the largest piece with many pieces of shattered hull scattered over a large area; some dry at low water; maximum depth about 12.5 m at high water; evidence of past salvage (a plinth and rusted steel cables) on the rocks below the footpath down from King Edward Road; copper and lead are common finds. Source: Tempus (now The History Press). Identified from the running title and the publisher named in earlier research
Position
54°10.076'N 004°25.937'W As printed in the book (p. 193); the ring is about 0.05 nm. WGS84. Decimal: 54.16793, -4.43228.
UK Hydrographic Office record: 54°10.009'N 004°26.172'W, 0.15 nm away: does not agree. The UK Hydrographic Office position for a wreck of the same name.
Access
Boat Close under the coast; the book lists slipways and beach launches by distance. Check the tide and access with a local club.
The book names no fish for this wreck (it gives angling text for open-water wrecks only), so these are kinds of fish that suit the depth and seabed, from general references. Typical, not guaranteed.
Unverified. The sources disagree: ukho-wrecks is 0.15 nm from the position used. The book's position is used because it is the main source.
Steel steamship of London, 2,632 GRT, built 1890 by the Bute Shipbuilding, Engineering and Dry Dock...
Lost
26 September 1909 · Ran aground Left Glasgow for Savona with 3,300 tons of coal; in thick fog (and a magnetic storm that may have upset her compasses) she struck the Lhoob Doo reef between Niarbyl and Dalby Point at 3 am on 25 September 1909, ripping a seam in her hull; salvage steamers failed to refloat her; she slipped into deeper water by 28 September. All 24 crew survived. 0 lives lost.
Size
2,632 gross tons · built 1890 · 91.5 m long · 11.9 m beam
Depth
16 m seabed (depth over the wreck not recorded)
Seabed
not recorded
Hull condition
Not recorded No description of the hull has been recorded.
Position
54°10.174'N 004°44.634'W As printed in the book (p. 196); the ring is about 0.05 nm. WGS84. Decimal: 54.16957, -4.74390.
UK Hydrographic Office record: 54°10.092'N 004°44.403'W, 0.16 nm away: does not agree. The UK Hydrographic Office position for a wreck of the same name.
Access
Boat Close under the coast; the book lists slipways and beach launches by distance. Check the tide and access with a local club.
The book names no fish for this wreck (it gives angling text for open-water wrecks only), so these are kinds of fish that suit the depth and seabed, from general references. Typical, not guaranteed.
Unverified. The sources disagree: ukho-wrecks is 0.16 nm from the position used. The book's position is used because it is the main source.
Also written: Mersia (a misreading of the blurred heading)
Type
Steel steam trawler of Fleetwood (FD153), 286 GRT, built 1912 by Cochrane and Sons, Selby;
Lost
22 January 1940 · Ran aground Caught in a south-east gale and snowstorm on a deep-sea trip, ran aground on rocks in Bulgham Bay at low water; no lifeboat could reach her and rescue by the Ramsey Rocket Brigade from the cliff was defeated by fog, wind and failed lines; all twelve crew were swept off and drowned by about 2.45 am on 22 January. 12 lives lost.
Size
286 gross tons · built 1912 · 39.6 m long · 7.2 m beam
Depth
10 m seabed (depth over the wreck not recorded)
Seabed
rock
Hull condition
Broken up In 10 m or less at the foot of the high cliffs of Bulgham Bay; rocky seabed with gullies; boiler and engine at the centre of the wreckage, relatively intact; large amounts of hull plating, winches, bollards and chains; a couple of portholes still fixed in plating; brass whistle and compass found in the last ten years. Source: Tempus (now The History Press). Identified from the running title and the publisher named in earlier research
Position
54°14.662'N 004°22.061'W As printed in the book (p. 194); the ring is about 0.05 nm. WGS84. Decimal: 54.24437, -4.36768.
Access
Boat Close under the coast; the book lists slipways and beach launches by distance. Check the tide and access with a local club.
The book names no fish for this wreck (it gives angling text for open-water wrecks only), so these are kinds of fish that suit the depth and seabed, from general references. Typical, not guaranteed.
Unverified. One source only: the owner's book (its printed position).
Steel motor fishing vessel of Hull (H460), 50 GRT, built 1978 by Hepworths, Knottingley;
Lost
1985 · Foundered Lost with all hands in early 1985 while scallop dredging; probably capsized after snagging an underwater cable; skipper Stuart Campbell and four crew died. (The exact date is not given in the pages read; the press reports are from March 1985.) 5 lives lost.
Named in the book's angling text for this wreck: Mainly pollack, coalfish and cod, possibly to double figures; occasional ling and a possibility of conger.
Verified position. The book's printed position and a second source agree. The UK Hydrographic Office position is 0.01 nm away (agrees).
54°10.428'N 004°56.194'W As published by UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO) (DGPS). WGS84. Decimal: 54.17380, -4.93657.
Wreck symbol plotted on the owner's chart: 54°10.6'N 004°56.1'W, 0.15 nm away: agrees. The wreck symbol on the plot, measured against the chart's graticule
Access
Boat About 7 nautical miles from the nearest shore, so reached by boat.
Built at Hull and carrying salt. The UKHO records disagree on the year she was built (1916 or 1961), so it is not given here.
UKHO keeps a second, older position for Moonlight (54°07.3'N 4°50.1'W, "for filing only"), roughly 5 nm to the south-east; this entry follows the chart and the newer record.
Iron schooner-rigged steamship of Ardrossan, 526 GRT, built 1871 by Barclay, Glasgow;
Lost
20 July 1879 · Ran aground Silloth to Dublin with passengers, sheep, malt and plaster; in dense fog at reduced speed with no soundings taken, she ran onto the rocks at Clay Head at about 4.15 am; she stuck fast for several weeks and became a total wreck. 0 lives lost.
Size
526 gross tons · built 1871 · 61.4 m long · 8 m beam
Depth
15 m seabed (depth over the wreck not recorded)
Seabed
rock
Hull condition
Scattered debris Lies in 15 m just off the tip of Clay Head at the southern end of Laxey Bay; seabed of rocks and boulders; tide can be quite strong, so dive at slack water (about half an hour either side of high and low water); wreckage is hull plating, ribs and stone blocks from her cargo; one carved block about 1.5 m long. Source: Tempus (now The History Press). Identified from the running title and the publisher named in earlier research
Position
54°11.869'N 004°23.225'W As printed in the book (p. 202); the ring is about 0.05 nm. WGS84. Decimal: 54.19782, -4.38708.
Access
Boat Close under the coast; the book lists slipways and beach launches by distance. Check the tide and access with a local club.
Tides and currents
The tide can be quite strong; dive at slack water, about half an hour either side of high and low water. Tidal stream atlas
In the owner's book (coast wreck, page 202, site description page 205)
The book names no fish for this wreck (it gives angling text for open-water wrecks only), so these are kinds of fish that suit the depth and seabed, from general references. Typical, not guaranteed.
Unverified. One source only: the owner's book (its printed position).
12 February 1937 · Collision In collision in darkness with the Fleetwood trawler George Cousins about twelve miles south-east of Maughold Head; sank within minutes; all nine crew survived, two being trapped briefly in a burning forecastle. 0 lives lost.
Size
174 gross tons · built 1906 · 33.1 m long · 6.6 m beam
Depth
19.22 m over the wreck, 24 m seabed Measured by multibeam sonar.
Seabed
not recorded
Hull condition
Intact Identity confirmed 1993 by the bell inscribed Octavia 1906; upright, leaning slightly to starboard, rising about 6 m; about 40 m by 10 m with the bow north-east; intact apart from flattened superstructure and gone wooden decking, so the inside of the hull can be entered; propeller in place and funnel lying beside; collision split visible on the starboard side; plates falling off on the port side; large crabs and lobsters; sandy seabed. Source: Tempus (now The History Press). Identified from the running title and the publisher named in earlier research
Position
54°10.216'N 004°00.268'W As printed in the book (p. 113); the ring is about 0.05 nm. WGS84. Decimal: 54.17027, -4.00447.
UK Hydrographic Office record: 54°10.223'N 004°00.258'W, 0.01 nm away: agrees. The previous primary position for this wreck (kept as a check)
Access
Boat About 13 nautical miles from the nearest shore, so reached by boat.
Named in the book's angling text for this wreck: Pollack and coalfish most common, pollack to about 8 lb with larger seen; hordes of pouting; cod on occasion; conger in the wreckage.
Verified position. The book's printed position and a second source agree. The UK Hydrographic Office position is 0.01 nm away (agrees).
Named in the book's angling text for this wreck: Large numbers of pollack of 6 to 10 lb with the occasional double-figure fish; a few coalfish; potential for large ling and conger.
Verified position. The book's printed position and a second source agree. The UK Hydrographic Office position is 0.01 nm away (agrees).
Named in the book's angling text for this wreck: Sometimes a surprising number of fish on such a small structure: usually coalfish shoals to 6 lb, at times pollack too; cod and small ling taken, hordes of pouting and mackerel in high summer.
Unverified. One source only: the owner's book (its printed position).
Steel steam trawler of Fleetwood (FD119), 271 GRT, built 1917 by the Dominion Steam Boat Co., Toronto; owned by the Boston Deep Sea Fishing and Ice Co., Grimsby
Lost
3 December 1931 · Ran aground Coming home from the herring grounds north-west of Ireland in a severe south-south-west gale, she ran aground on the sand below Jurby Head in the dark early on 3 December 1931. The Peel Rocket Brigade brought all thirteen crew ashore by breeches buoy; the Peel and Ramsey lifeboats also launched. Her herring cargo was dumped and she settled into the beach as a total wreck. 0 lives lost.
Size
271 gross tons · built 1917 · 38.3 m long · 7.1 m beam
17 September 1899 · Collision Struck amidships at 12.40 am by the steamer Monarch of Belfast on passage Liverpool to Douglas; all crew and two passengers took to the lifeboats and were towed to Douglas by the Monarch. 0 lives lost.
Size
595 gross tons · built 1884 · 63.1 m long · 7.9 m beam
Depth
34 m over the wreck, 38 m seabed Measured by echo-sounder.
Named in the book's angling text for this wreck: Formerly mainly cod to 12 lb; cod have declined sharply and pollack of 3 to 6 lb now predominate; small coalfish shoals can be a nuisance; still good ling, 8 to 15 lb fish each year and one or two to 20 lb; large conger population.
Verified position. The book's printed position and a second source agree. The UK Hydrographic Office position is 0.00 nm away (agrees).
IntactVerified positionIdentity probableType not recorded
Type
Type not recorded
Lost
not recorded
Size
tonnage not recorded
Depth
30 m seabed (depth over the wreck not recorded)
Seabed
sand
Hull condition
Intact Intact and lying on its starboard side on sand and shell grit; cargo hold covers and cargo on the seabed beside it; wheelhouse at the stern still intact but entry barred by collapsing wreckage; stern hull encrusted in plumrose anemones with a row of portholes, propeller and rudder in place; open hatch and stairway to the engine room; bow section intact with a steel mast lying horizontal; suitable for moderately experienced divers. Source: Tempus (now The History Press). Identified from the running title and the publisher named in earlier research
Position
54°26.792'N 004°20.400'W As printed in the book (p. 123); the ring is about 0.05 nm. WGS84. Decimal: 54.44653, -4.34000.
UK Hydrographic Office record: 54°26.799'N 004°20.473'W, 0.04 nm away: agrees. The UK Hydrographic Office position for a wreck of the same name.
Access
Boat Reached by boat: see the book for the launch sites. The book lists the slipways and beach launches by distance.
In the owner's book (open-water wreck, page 123, site description page 126, fishing page 126)
Hull10/10Intact or virtually intact.
Scenery10/10An excellent dive: largely intact, plenty to see, usually good visibility.
Fishing6/10Plenty of fish, mostly small, with the odd bigger one.
About this entry: Header stars, depth and position read from p123; location, vessel details and history on pp 124-125 are out of focus and were not read.
Header stars, depth and position read from p123; location, vessel details and history on pp 124-125 are out of focus and were not read.
Named in the book's angling text for this wreck: Plenty of good-size pollack together with coalfish; many conger in the wreckage; ling possible in high summer; cod should visit occasionally.
Verified position. The book's printed position and a second source agree. The UK Hydrographic Office position is 0.04 nm away (agrees).
Iron paddle steamship of Fleetwood, 745 GRT, built 1861 at Glasgow; 69.3 x 8.6 x 4.8 m; schooner-rigged; owned by Frederick Kemp and others (North Lancashire Steam Navigation Co) on the Fleetwood-Belfast route
Lost
22 January 1869 · Ran aground Left Fleetwood for Belfast at 7.47 pm with 31 crew and 38 passengers and a deck cargo of angle iron. In thick haze she ran on at full speed, 15 miles off her course, and struck the rocks below Ballacannell, Ballafayle, near Port Mooar, at 11.35 pm. Everyone survived: some passengers were taken off by the steamer Magnetic and others rowed to Ramsey. 0 lives lost.
Size
745 gross tons · built 1861 · 69.3 m long · 8.6 m beam
54°16.598'N 004°19.712'W As printed in the book (p. 205); the ring is about 0.05 nm. WGS84. Decimal: 54.27663, -4.32853.
Access
Boat Close under the coast below Ballafayle, one mile south of Maughold Head; the book lists slipways and beach launches by distance. Check the tide and access with a local club.
In the owner's book (coast wreck, page 205, site description page 207)
The book gives no ratings for coast wrecks.
Where: Below Ballafayle, one mile south of Maughold Head.
Getting there: Laxey (3.8 nm): slipway three hours either side of high water. Ramsey (4.9 nm): slipway two hours either side of high water, or launch from the beach in front of the lifeboat house. Douglas (9.5 nm): slipway at all states of the tide.
About this entry: Header and history read from the owner's photographs of pp. 205-207.
A Board of Trade inquiry found that the deck cargo of angle iron had thrown out both compasses; the master, who had crossed the Irish Sea more than three thousand times without mishap, had not slowed down or taken soundings, and his certificate was suspended for six months.
She stayed on the rocks until the next morning, then slid into deeper water and later broke in two; divers saved only part of the cargo.
IntactUnverifiedIdentity probableTug, dredger or work boat
Type
Steel paddle tug, 103 GRT, built 1917 by George Brown, Greenock, for war service in Mesopotamia...
Lost
9 May 1917 · Foundered Left Greenock on 9 May 1917 with nineteen Royal Engineers aboard; took in water rapidly, presumably through a mechanical failure, nine miles south of the Calf of Man; one lifeboat jammed under the paddle box and capsized; six drowned and a seventh died later from exposure; survivors landed at Peel by a trawler. 7 lives lost.
Size
103 gross tons · built 1917 · 33.5 m long · 6.1 m beam
Iron steamship of Beaumaris, 146 GRT, built 1853 by Thomas Toward, Newcastle; 38.6 x 5.5 x 2.7 m;
Lost
15 September 1889 · Foundered Bound from Belfast to Garston with general cargo; a fault in the engine room opened a hole in the bottom plating; she sank about twenty-five minutes after the crew of seven took to the small boat; all reached the Bahama Lightship. 0 lives lost.
Size
146 gross tons · built 1853 · 38.6 m long · 5.5 m beam
The book names no fish for this wreck (no angling information was readable), so these are kinds of fish that suit the depth and seabed, from general references. Typical, not guaranteed.
Unverified. One source only: the owner's book (its printed position).
In the owner's book (open-water wreck, page 130, site description page 132)
Hullnot rated
Scenerynot rated
Fishingnot rated
About this entry: Pages 130-131 are out of focus: header block not readable (stars appear low). Faint OCR suggests a very scattered wreck, identity assumed, possibly lost in the 1940s; nothing used. from wreck-site text; header block unreadable
Pages 130-131 are out of focus: header block not readable (stars appear low). Faint OCR suggests a very scattered wreck, identity assumed, possibly lost in the 1940s; nothing used.
The book names no fish for this wreck (no angling information was readable), so these are kinds of fish that suit the depth and seabed, from general references. Typical, not guaranteed.
Unverified. One source only: the UK Hydrographic Office record; the book's header for this wreck could not be read, so it has not been checked against the book.
54°07.016'N 004°53.585'W As published by UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO) (DGPS). WGS84. Decimal: 54.11693, -4.89308.
Position written on the owner's chart: 54°07.01'N 004°53.60'W, 0.01 nm away: agrees. Position hand-written beside the chart under the name "Mary Summerville" (the "3" is hard to read and a printed symbol overlaps it)
Wreck symbol plotted on the owner's chart: 54°06.9'N 004°52.9'W, 0.41 nm away: agrees. The wreck symbol on the plot, measured against the chart's graticule
Access
Boat About 4 nautical miles from the nearest shore, so reached by boat.
Tides and currents
The flood runs from the north-west and the ebb from the south-east. Slack water comes at about the predicted high and low water times, from about half an hour before to three quarters of an hour after, and is shorter on spring tides. Tidal stream atlas
In the owner's book (open-water wreck, page 133, site description page 134, fishing page 134)
Hullnot rated
Scenerynot rated
Fishingnot rated
Where: 4.2 nm west-north-west of Bradda Head.
About this entry: The top of p. 133 (stars, depth and position) is cut off in the copy read, so the UKHO position is used; the wreck-site and angling text (p. 134) was read from the owner's photograph.
Built in Southampton in 1921 as Mary Summerfield and later renamed Ringwall.
A diver located the wreck in July 1987.
Not the wreck UKHO lists as Lady Summerville, which lies about 3 nm further south (54°04.19'N 4°52.35'W, 38 m) and is a regularly dived site.
Before the book was added the hull was described (by ukho-wrecks, 2002) as: Upright but broken amidships, with fishing net caught on the forward section.
Named in the book's angling text for this wreck: Fished hard for years, so no big fish, but large numbers of pollack, coalfish to 8 lb, the occasional ling and pouting always.
Verified position. The position written on the chart is 0.01 nm from the UKHO position (agrees). The wreck symbol plotted on the chart is 0.41 nm from the UKHO position (agrees). UKHO lists the identification as "probably". The match with the name "Mary Summerville" rests on the position and a near-identical former name (Mary Summerfield), so the identification is marked probable.
Wooden motor fishing vessel of Ramsey (RY11), 20 GRT, built in France in 1959; 12.5 m long; owner and skipper John Barry Williams
Lost
17 May 1978 · Collision Fishing in fog early in the morning about two and a half miles south of Maughold Head, she was cut into by the steel 47-ton Jacob Johannes of Castletown (on passage from Douglas to Ramsey) and sank at once; her two crew and their dog climbed aboard the other vessel unhurt. 0 lives lost.
In the owner's book (open-water wreck, page 134, site description page 136, fishing page 136)
Hull2/10Only a few scattered pieces remain.
Scenery2/10For enthusiasts only.
Fishing2/10Poor: generally not worth fishing.
Where: 1 nm south-east of Port Cornaa, south of Maughold Head.
Getting there: Laxey (3.3 nm): slipway usable three hours either side of high water. Ramsey (5.6 nm): slipway two hours either side of high water, or launch from the beach in front of the lifeboat house. Douglas (8.5 nm): slipway at all states of the tide.
About this entry: Header, vessel and history read from the owner's photograph of pp. 134-135.
The book places it 1 nm south-east of Port Cornaa, south of Maughold Head.
Steel steamship of Hull, 1,730 GRT, built 1881 by Earle's Co, Hull; 83.8 x 10.5 x 6.1 m;
Lost
4 March 1918 · Torpedoed Steaming without lights and zigzagging in ballast from Scapa to Liverpool about ten miles south of the Mull of Galloway when torpedoed in the early hours by U102 and sunk in under two minutes; of 37 aboard only two gunners (one later died) and the wireless operator survived. (Book gives 3 March 1918 for the departure/attack; sinking at 2.40 am, p137.) 35 lives lost.
Size
1,730 gross tons · built 1881 · 83.8 m long · 10.5 m beam
Named in the book's angling text for this wreck: Good pollack fishing with fish of 5 to 10 lb and shoals of coalfish; potential for cod and ling at the right time of year.
Verified position. The book's printed position and a second source agree. The UK Hydrographic Office position is 0.01 nm away (agrees).
Steel screw steamship of Newry, 298 GRT, built 1899 by J Fullerton and Co, Paisley;
Lost
19 April 1917 · Foundered Capsized and foundered in a north-east gale after her cargo of granite setts shifted, on passage Newry to Manchester; the crew took to the boats and were picked up by a passing passenger steamer. 0 lives lost.
Size
298 gross tons · built 1899 · 43.4 m long · 6.5 m beam
The book names no fish for this wreck (no angling information was readable), so these are kinds of fish that suit the depth and seabed, from general references. Typical, not guaranteed.
Unverified. One source only: the owner's book (its printed position).
Wooden auxiliary ketch of Chester, 87 GRT, 63 net, built 1904 at Connah's Quay;
Lost
19 July 1948 · Foundered Mostyn to Belfast with 117 tons of bricks and tiles; the auxiliary engine broke down off Langness in a force-seven wind; anchored, then abandoned; the Port St Mary lifeboat took off the crew and the captain's wife; she sank off Langness Lighthouse, near Dreswick Point, around 9.10 am. 0 lives lost.
Size
87 gross tons · built 1904
Depth
30 m seabed (depth over the wreck not recorded) printed depth blurred; 30 m as stated in the wreck-site text
The book names no fish for this wreck (it gives angling text for open-water wrecks only), so these are kinds of fish that suit the depth and seabed, from general references. Typical, not guaranteed.
Unverified. One source only: the UK Hydrographic Office record; the book's header for this wreck could not be read, so it has not been checked against the book.
Steel steamship of Glasgow, 4,278 GRT, built 1906 by Russell and Co, Glasgow; 112.9 x 15.2 x 5.8 m;
Lost
4 November 1916 · Mine Struck a mine laid by U80 while in ballast from Barrow to Barry Roads; sank in about three minutes; the master and a crewman died; official loss records gave a position off Anglesey but the wreck lies where the minefield actually was. 2 lives lost.
Size
4,278 gross tons · built 1906 · 112.9 m long · 15.2 m beam
Depth
53 m seabed (depth over the wreck not recorded) From the wreck-site text; the header page was not in the copy read.
53°51.185'N 004°21.726'W As published by UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO) (DGPS). WGS84. Decimal: 53.85308, -4.36210.
Access
Boat Reached by boat: about 18 nm south of Douglas Head. The book lists the slipways and beach launches by distance.
Tides and currents
The flood runs from the west and the ebb from the east. Slack water comes at about the predicted high and low water times, from about half an hour before to three quarters of an hour after, and is shorter on spring tides. Tidal stream atlas
In the owner's book (open-water wreck, page 140, site description page 142, fishing page 142)
Hullnot rated
Scenerynot rated
Fishingnot rated
Where: about 18 nm south of Douglas Head.
About this entry: Header page (p. 140) not in the copy read, so no stars or position from the book; the wreck-site and angling text (p. 142) was read from the owner's photograph.
The book places it about 18 nm south of Douglas Head.
Named in the book's angling text for this wreck: Was the best angling wreck around the Isle of Man in the late 1980s and early 1990s but heavily fished by charter boats from North Wales; pollack to 18 lb and many double-figure coalfish (best on spring tides July to November); large ling; cod to 23 lb; very large conger.
Unverified. One source only: the UK Hydrographic Office record; the book's header for this wreck could not be read, so it has not been checked against the book.
Wooden motor fishing vessel of Peel (PL25), 20 GRT, built 1950 by Martin at Granton, near Edinburgh; 13.7 m long
Lost
16 November 1983 · Foundered Hauling queenie (scallop) gear about seven miles off the Point of Ayre, she fouled her propeller, which damaged the stern gland; water came in and her bilge pumps failed. She radioed the coastguard and Ramsey lifeboat launched, but the three crew had already been picked up from the sea by the fishing boat Still Waters, which landed them at Peel unhurt. A fishery protection aircraft on patrol identified the sinking boat. 0 lives lost.
In the owner's book (open-water wreck, page 142, fishing page 144)
Hull8/10Some deterioration, but the hull is largely there.
Scenery6/10A pleasant dive, though visibility can be poor or there is less to see.
Fishing4/10Moderate numbers of small fish.
Where: 6.9 nm north-north-east of the Point of Ayre.
Getting there: Ramsey (12.6 nm): slipway usable two hours either side of high water, or launch from the beach in front of the lifeboat house. Peel (22.7 nm): slipway at all states of the tide.
About this entry: Header, vessel and history read from the owner's photograph of pp. 142-143; the angling note is from p. 144.
The book places it 6.9 nm north-north-east of the Point of Ayre.
Steel motor vessel of Cardiff, 290 GRT, 115 net, built 1937 by E J Smit and Zoon (Netherlands;
Lost
1948 · Foundered Lost in very bad weather in early January 1948 (bodies of two crew found on a raft on 7 January; the steward washed up in Ayrshire); a wide air and lifeboat search found nothing; the position of loss was long assumed to be off Maughold Head but the wreck lies north-east of the Point of Ayre. The exact day of the sinking is not given in the pages read.
Size
290 gross tons · built 1937
Depth
50 m seabed (depth over the wreck not recorded)
Seabed
mixed
Hull condition
Intact Identity confirmed 1999 by the recovered bell; upright and intact in scours up to 4 m deep, rising about 4 m; about 40 m by 10 m, bow north-west; covered walkway round the stern, wheel on the steel superstructure, wooden wheelhouse rotted away; open hatch and stair to the engine room; single hold with iron bars cargo; winch forward; large numbers of crabs and lobsters; sand and gravel seabed; can be dark. Source: Tempus (now The History Press). Identified from the running title and the publisher named in earlier research
Position
54°28.347'N 004°11.288'W As printed in the book (p. 145); the ring is about 0.05 nm. WGS84. Decimal: 54.47245, -4.18813.
UK Hydrographic Office record: 54°28.342'N 004°11.282'W, 0.01 nm away: agrees. The UK Hydrographic Office position for a wreck of the same name.
Access
Boat Reached by boat: 7 nm east-north-east of the Point of Ayre. The book lists the slipways and beach launches by distance.
Iron barque of Liverpool, 905 GRT, 877 net, built 1878 by James Thompson, Sunderland;
Lost
25 January 1890 · Ran aground Left Liverpool 13 January 1890 for Adelaide; twice beaten back, she sheltered in Douglas Bay; when a south-west gale rose on 24 January her anchor dragged and she grounded on a reef at Port Jack about 2.30 am on 25 January; the lifeboat took off all crew and two passengers; her cargo of spirits and goods was salvaged; the Board of Trade inquiry blamed nobody. 0 lives lost.
Size
905 gross tons · built 1878 · 59.2 m long · 10.1 m beam
Depth
not recorded
Seabed
rock
Hull condition
Scattered debris Remnants lie on the rocky beach at Port Jack close to the sewer outfall, showing only at the lowest astronomical tides in spring and autumn: about 12 m of iron keel with iron ribs about 2 ft apart at right angles, about 7 m wide, keel north-south with the stern towards Douglas Head; a large girder about 6 m long lies to starboard of the forward end. An anchor believed to be hers is displayed at Laxey harbour with a plaque; a second anchor trawled up in the 1980s was on display on the South Quay, Douglas. Source: Tempus (now The History Press). Identified from the running title and the publisher named in earlier research
Position
54°09.922'N 004°27.008'W As printed in the book (p. 247); the ring is about 0.05 nm. WGS84. Decimal: 54.16537, -4.45013.
14 August 1892 · Foundered Under tow in ballast from Port Glasgow for Birkenhead, capsized in a squall about 11.30 pm three miles north of Port Erin and sank; all seventeen aboard were lost. 17 lives lost.
Size
2,154 gross tons · built 1892 · 86 m long · 12.8 m beam
Depth
32 m seabed (depth over the wreck not recorded) The book's general depth at median low water.
Seabed
not recorded
Hull condition
Largely intact Identity not positively confirmed but only one steel barque was lost here; upside down, rising about 4 m; about 80 m by 10 m; bow and stern intact, centre collapsed with holes in the plating; four steel masts flat on the seabed to the south-east; large anchors and chains at the bow; rudder at the stern; silt on the wreckage; sand seabed. Source: Tempus (now The History Press). Identified from the running title and the publisher named in earlier research
Position
54°07.660'N 004°47.150'W As printed in the book (p. 147); the ring is about 0.05 nm. WGS84. Decimal: 54.12767, -4.78583.
UK Hydrographic Office record: 54°07.66'N 004°47.15'W, 0.00 nm away: agrees. The previous primary position for this wreck (kept as a check)
Access
Boat About 1 nautical miles from the nearest shore, so reached by boat.
In the owner's book (open-water wreck, page 147, site description page 149, fishing page 149)
Hull8/10Some deterioration, but the hull is largely there.
Scenery6/10A pleasant dive, though visibility can be poor or there is less to see.
Fishing2/10Poor: generally not worth fishing.
Where: 1 nm north-north-west of Bradda Head.
Lost in 1892, the year she was built, while still being fitted out.
Lies about two miles north of Bradda Head, close to Don Boscoe.
Before the book was added the hull was described (by ukho-wrecks, 2001) as: Intact but upside down, with the masts pushing up through the hull. A 1975 report put her in about 32 m.
The tonnage differs: UKHO has 2000 GT and the book 2154 GRT (the book's is shown).
Local knowledge from Manx diver Queesey Quayle (told to Manx Wire, October 2026; not independently checked): king scallops of exceptional size lie on the seabed around the wreck, because trawlers and scallop dredgers keep clear of the wreckage, so it is a spot worth knowing for divers. Before taking any, check the Isle of Man Government's current rules: a 2015 rule limited divers to 18 king scallops a day as a stop-gap, the commercial minimum size is 110 mm, and no scallops may be taken inside a Marine Nature Reserve (Port Erin Bay's is close by).
Named in the book's angling text for this wreck: Small pollack and coalfish at times; ling to 10 lb; large conger in the wreckage. Queesey Quayle reports very large king scallops on the seabed around the wreck (see the notes).
Verified position. The book's printed position and a second source agree. The UK Hydrographic Office position is 0.00 nm away (agrees).
Also written: Tuckar (the spelling on the plotted label)
Type
Dutch motor coaster (UKHO: carrier)
Lost
19 April 1961 · Ran aground In dense fog bound Runcorn to Belfast with salt, struck a rock near the Calf of Man (probably the Chicken Rock) at 1.15 am, drifted out holed on the port side and sank at about 5 am after the crew abandoned ship. 0 lives lost.
Size
250 gross tons · built 1939 · 38.8 m long · 7 m beam
Depth
45 m over the wreck, 50 m seabed Measured by echo-sounder.
54°00.224'N 004°57.135'W As printed in the book (p. 149); the ring is about 0.05 nm. WGS84. Decimal: 54.00373, -4.95225.
UK Hydrographic Office record: 54°00.218'N 004°57.177'W, 0.03 nm away: agrees. The previous primary position for this wreck (kept as a check)
Position written on the owner's chart: 54°00.22'N 004°57.15'W, 0.01 nm away: agrees. Position hand-written beside the chart, exactly as written
Wreck symbol plotted on the owner's chart: 54°00.3'N 004°57.0'W, 0.09 nm away: agrees. The wreck symbol on the plot, measured against the chart's graticule
Access
Boat About 5 nautical miles from the nearest shore, so reached by boat.
In the owner's book (open-water wreck, page 149, fishing page 151)
Hull10/10Intact or virtually intact.
Scenery10/10An excellent dive: largely intact, plenty to see, usually good visibility.
Fishing8/10Generally excellent fishing, though a species or two may be missing.
Where: 5.1 nm west-south-west of the Calf of Man.
About this entry: Wreck-site description (p151) not in the readable scans.
A Dutch-built coaster of 1939 carrying salt when she was lost on 19 April 1961.
Wreck-site description (p151) not in the readable scans.
Before the book was added the hull was described (by ukho-wrecks, 2004) as: Described as intact and upright, with the midships collapsing and the bows to the east.
Named in the book's angling text for this wreck: Jumbo mackerel frequent the wreck July to September; pouting can be troublesome at times (the rest of the angling text is on a page not in the scan).
Verified position. The book's printed position and a second source agree. The UK Hydrographic Office position is 0.03 nm away (agrees). The position written on the owner's chart is 0.01 nm away (agrees). The wreck symbol plotted on the owner's chart is 0.09 nm away (agrees).
German Type VIIC submarine U246, 761 tons, built by Germaniawerft, Kiel, launched 7 December 1943;
Lost
29 March 1945 Last radioed on 7 March 1945 on passage to the Irish Sea; wreckage located in April 1945 by naval vessels; loss attributed to an accident, most likely a snorkel failure or battery explosion; a possible attack by HMS Duckworth on 29 March is unconfirmed. War grave. 48 lives lost.
Size
tonnage not recorded · built 1943 · 76.5 m long · 6.3 m beam
not recorded Thirteen crosses carved on a rock slab are taken to commemorate thirteen lives lost in an unrecorded shipwreck, probably before 1800 given the style of the crosses; the author has no wreck recorded here. 13 lives lost.
Size
tonnage not recorded
Depth
not recorded
Seabed
rock
Hull condition
Not recorded No description of the hull has been recorded.
Position
54°05.406'N 004°36.208'W As printed in the book (p. 253); the ring is about 0.05 nm. WGS84. Decimal: 54.09010, -4.60347.
Access
Shore Car park at the Ronaldsway side of Derbyhaven near the Flying Club, then along the public footpath Raad ny Foillan to Santon Gorge.
Not recordedChart-read positionUnidentifiedType not recorded
Approximate position. Read off a chart plot, so it could be about 0.5 nautical miles out in any direction. Do not rely on it.
Type
Type not recorded
Lost
not recorded
Size
tonnage not recorded
Depth
51 m seabed (depth over the wreck not recorded) Measured by interpolated from the EMODnet grid at the plotted position. The seabed depth, not the depth over the wreck.
Seabed
not recorded
Hull condition
Not recorded No description of the hull has been recorded.
Position
53°56.6'N 004°44.1'W Read from a chart plot (about 0.5 nm either way). Datum not stated. Read from the wreck symbol the owner's arrow points to, against the chart's graticule: about 0.5 nm either way. Decimal: 53.94250, -4.73530.
Access
Boat About 7 nautical miles from the nearest shore, so reached by boat.
The nearest UKHO record is the trawler Waltham (probably), 0.45 nm to the north-north-west, 161 GT, lost in 1917. That is a possible match, not an identification.
Two-masted wooden auxiliary schooner of Chester, 99 GRT, built 1879 by Ashburner, Barrow;
Lost
19 January 1947 · Ran aground Left Mostyn for Belfast with 120 tons of slates, bricks and tiles; lost in fog, steamed on and struck rocks near the Baltic Rock at Santon Head around 11 pm; holed and settled within minutes; the master and his son took shelter ashore; none of the cargo was saved. 0 lives lost.
Size
99 gross tons · built 1879 · 27.2 m long · 6.5 m beam
54°05.995'N 004°33.315'W As printed in the book (p. 212); the ring is about 0.05 nm. WGS84. Decimal: 54.09992, -4.55525.
UK Hydrographic Office record: 54°06.060'N 004°32.971'W, 0.21 nm away: does not agree. The UK Hydrographic Office position for a wreck of the same name.
Access
Boat Close under the coast; the book lists slipways and beach launches by distance. Check the tide and access with a local club.
The book names no fish for this wreck (it gives angling text for open-water wrecks only), so these are kinds of fish that suit the depth and seabed, from general references. Typical, not guaranteed.
Unverified. The sources disagree: ukho-wrecks is 0.21 nm from the position used. The book's position is used because it is the main source.
Iron paddle tug of Irvine, 89 GRT, built 1863 by Low Walker, Newcastle; 27.1 x 5.4 x 2.8 m;
Lost
22 March 1892 · Foundered The port paddle shaft broke and the feathering irons tore a hole below the waterline; the four crew took to the small boat and watched her founder about five miles south-east of the Chicken Rock. 0 lives lost.
Size
89 gross tons · built 1863 · 27.1 m long · 5.4 m beam
Named in the book's angling text for this wreck: Very productive for pollack and numerous ling in the late 1980s; now fewer after heavy fishing, but pollack to 8 lb or more, ling to 20 lb in high summer, occasional cod and coalfish.
Unverified. One source only: the owner's book (its printed position).
Wooden-or-steel motor fishing vessel of Kilkeel (N171), 38 GRT, built 1947 at Fraserburgh;
Lost
17 December 1975 · Foundered Caught a wire rope in the propeller, which opened up the stern gland; the crew abandoned her about sixteen miles south-west of St Bees Head (as the book words it). 0 lives lost.
In the owner's book (open-water wreck, page 156, fishing page 157)
Hull4/10A lot of broken wreckage, but no ship shape left.
Scenery6/10A pleasant dive, though visibility can be poor or there is less to see.
Fishing2/10Poor: generally not worth fishing.
Where: 14.6 nm east of Maughold Head.
About this entry: Page 156 is blurred: the position digits and 14.6 nm range are best readings; low confidence. Distance from Maughold looks inconsistent with a 16 nm south-west of St Bees remark, so treat the position as unverified.
The book places it 14.6 nm east of Maughold Head.
Page 156 is blurred: the position digits and 14.6 nm range are best readings; low confidence. Distance from Maughold looks inconsistent with a 16 nm south-west of St Bees remark, so treat the position as unverified.
The book names no fish for this wreck (no angling information was readable), so these are kinds of fish that suit the depth and seabed, from general references. Typical, not guaranteed.
Unverified. One source only: the owner's book (its printed position).
54°05.755'N 004°35.315'W As printed in the book (p. 215); the ring is about 0.05 nm. WGS84. Decimal: 54.09592, -4.58858.
UK Hydrographic Office record: 54°06.010'N 004°32.887'W, 1.45 nm away: does not agree. The UK Hydrographic Office position for a wreck of the same name.
Access
Boat Close under the coast; the book lists slipways and beach launches by distance. Check the tide and access with a local club.
The book names no fish for this wreck (it gives angling text for open-water wrecks only), so these are kinds of fish that suit the depth and seabed, from general references. Typical, not guaranteed.
Unverified. The sources disagree: ukho-wrecks is 1.45 nm from the position used. The book's position is used because it is the main source.
3 entries the book describes but whose position could not be read from the copy we were given, so they are not drawn and nothing is guessed. Their facts are kept here, with the book's page numbers, and they join the chart when a position is supplied.
Entries from the book without a position on the chart
Name
Part of the book
What is known
Why it is not drawn
Crown (page 170)
Coast
Little could be read.
Blurred scan; only the title was legible.
Jeune St Charles (page 233)
Shore
Lost 1858 French schooner of Pontrieux (Brittany), carrying flour from Pontrieux to Londonderry
The header page (p. 233) has not been read, and the wreck-site text gives only the Thousla Cross memorial, about 50 m west of the Calf Sound car park.
Provider (page 246)
Shore
Lost 1853 Wooden two-masted topsail schooner of Plymouth, 89 tons net, built 1845 by Shilston, Plymouth; owned by John Wilcocks (master) and others
No position or wreck-site text was read for this entry.
Fish you can expect
A guide to the fish that suit Manx wrecks and reefs. Where the diver's guide names the fish an angler meets on a wreck, the entry says so ("Fish reported here"). Every other list is typical for that kind of site (its depth, seabed and structure), not a record of what has been seen there, and nothing is guaranteed. Seasons are given only where a source gives them. No photographs, because we do not hold the rights to any.
Pollack
Pollachius pollachius
Typical depth: 0 to 180 mRecorded in Manx waters
Habitat
A lively mid-water fish of rocky ground that can be anywhere from near the surface to deep water; the references give a depth of up to about 180 m.
On wrecks
Hangs over and around wreck structure and rocky reef, often in the tide. A general reference lists it among the fish that hold on wrecks.
A long, bottom-living fish of rocky ground in deeper water: recorded from about 15 m to 600 m, commonest between about 100 m and 400 m.
On wrecks
Hides among rocks, crevices and wrecks, so deeper wrecks are typical ling ground. Large ones can be lost by anglers back into the structure.
For anglers
A deep-water boat target. A general reference notes that ling brought up from depth often suffer swim bladder damage, so releasing them is not always kind.
For divers
Divers report ling at the Calf of Man, where Biosphere Isle of Man lists it among the fish seen.
Rules. Minimum landing sizes apply to the fish you keep: check the Government's current list. Official page ↗
Typical at 52 of the 101 wrecks listed here: show them.
A small, deep-bodied cod relative of rocky and sandy seabed down to about 300 m, usually under 30 cm and commonest around the south and west of the British Isles.
On wrecks
Typical of rocky and sandy ground and a familiar sight in shoals around wrecks elsewhere in Britain. We have not found a Manx source naming it, so it is listed as general knowledge only.
For anglers
A small bait-stealer that often turns up before bigger fish.
For divers
Look for loose shoals hovering close to the wreck.
Typical at 63 of the 101 wrecks listed here: show them.
Rocks and other hard surfaces in the algae zone, usually between 20 m and 80 m (recorded from 2 m to 200 m). It prefers slightly deeper water than ballan wrasse.
On wrecks
A fish of hard surfaces at moderate depth, so wrecks standing on rock or reef in 20 to 80 m suit it.
For anglers
Listed for rock and breakwater fishing; usually released because it is long-lived.
For divers
Biosphere Isle of Man lists the female cuckoo wrasse among the fish seen by divers at the Calf of Man.
Rules. Minimum landing sizes apply to the fish you keep: check the Government's current list. Official page ↗
Typical at 13 of the 101 wrecks listed here: show them.
A small coastal shark that lives mostly near the seabed and ranges widely; tagged British fish have turned up as far away as the Azores and Iceland.
On wrecks
A roaming predator rather than a wreck fish; it can pass over any site.
For anglers
Shore fishing from the north-west beaches is described by the Isle of Man Government as exceptional sport for tope and bass. The IUCN lists tope as critically endangered, so gentle handling and release matter.
For divers
Seen only occasionally, passing through.
Rules. No tope-specific rule appears on the Government's Recreational Fishing page. Check the current minimum landing sizes and ask DEFA Fisheries (01624 685857, [email protected]) before keeping any. Official page ↗
Typical at 1 of the 101 wrecks listed here: show them.
Sandy, gravelly and muddy seabed from a few metres down to about 400 m. The Manx sources say "dogfish" without naming the species; the small-spotted catshark is the one described in the general reference.
On wrecks
Found on the sand and gravel around a wreck rather than on the structure.
Flat bottom-living fish of sand, mud and gravel. Thornback rays are typically found at 10 to 60 m, and the Manx Wildlife Trust lists blonde, spotted, cuckoo and undulate rays for Manx waters.
On wrecks
On open sediment beside a wreck, not on the structure.
For anglers
A boat and beach target over clean ground. The Government's Recreational Fishing page names no rule for skates and rays; check before keeping any.
For divers
Look for the outline on the sand at the edge of the wreck.
Rules. The Government's Recreational Fishing page does not list skate or ray rules. Check the current minimum landing sizes and ask DEFA Fisheries (01624 685857, [email protected]) before keeping any. Official page ↗
Typical at 5 of the 101 wrecks listed here: show them.
Exceptional sport from the beaches of the north-west coast. Strict rules apply: see the rules panel.
For divers
Seen in shallow water near the shore.
Rules. Within the 12-mile territorial sea only rod-and-line anglers may take bass. Keep no more than one in any 24 hours, and only a fish of 50 to 60 cm (snout to tail tip). Take it away whole, not gutted, and handle any fish you release carefully. Official page ↗
Typical at 2 of the 101 wrecks listed here: show them.
Summarised from the Isle of Man Government's Recreational Fishing page. Rules change, so read the official page before you fish.
No licence is needed for saltwater angling, but minimum landing sizes apply to what you keep. They are displayed at the main harbours and published by the Government: minimum landing sizes (PDF) ↗.
Salmon and sea trout caught in the sea may not be kept.
Bass. Inside the 12-mile territorial sea only rod-and-line anglers may take bass. Keep no more than one in any 24 hours, only a fish of 50 to 60 cm (snout to tail tip), and take it away whole, not gutted. Handle fish you release with care: forceps for the hook, and support the fish in the water until it swims off. Bass regulations 2016 (PDF) ↗
Tope, skates and rays. The Government's page names no rule for these. Check the landing-size list and ask DEFA Fisheries (01624 685857, [email protected]) before keeping any. The Manx Wildlife Trust notes that tope is listed as critically endangered, so release it gently.
Hobby potting: up to five pots for crab and lobster, from a pleasure craft or the shore, with a licence.
Sand eels. Netting is banned from the beach out to 750 m between the north end of Peel Bay, round the Point of Ayre, and the north side of Ramsey Harbour, except licensed bait netting at certain times and places.
Marine Nature Reserves. Bait digging and collecting are restricted inside them. The Calf of Man and Wart Bank reserve bans dredging and trawling, seabed extraction and damage to protected habitats or species. Fill in your holes, put rocks back and avoid disturbing protected species. Byelaws (PDF) ↗
Harbours. Bait collection and other activity inside a harbour area may fall under the Harbours Act 2010: check with the Department of Infrastructure (Harbours).
Diving: safety and the law
The basics, kept short. This is not training or legal advice.
Dive within your training. Check the depth your qualification allows. BSAC, for example, describes 40 m as the optional depth for its Sports Diver grade, and our "over 40 m" band is deeper than that, so the deepest wrecks here are not recreational dives. The depth bands on this page are guides, not qualification limits.
Respect the tide. The tidal range here reaches 8 m (Visit Isle of Man), and streams around the Calf reach about 6 knots at springs. A diver reports 3 to 4 knots through Calf Sound. Plan for slack water, go with an experienced local skipper and check the tidal stream atlas and the forecast.
Be seen. Carry and use a surface marker buoy, tell someone ashore your plan and when you expect to be back, and carry a way to call for help.
In an emergency at sea or on the coast, dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard (the Isle of Man Coastguard covers the island's waters). BSAC's UK advice is to call the Coastguard early by VHF or DSC radio and to use a diver helpline for suspected decompression illness; its helpline numbers are UK ones, so on the island start with 999. BSAC advice ↗
Many of these wrecks are graves. Most ships here were lost in wartime or with loss of life, and the entries say where lives were lost. We could not find a published list of wrecks designated as protected military remains in Manx waters, so if you are unsure, ask Manx National Heritage before you touch anything.
HMS Racehorse (1822) is a historic wreck. BSAC says the Isle of Man Sub-Aqua Club owns the site and dives it regularly: ask the club and Manx National Heritage before you dive it.
Take only photographs. Do not move, lift or remove anything from a wreck. The Harbours Division says anything recovered from the sea must be reported to the Isle of Man Receiver of Wreck (Department of Infrastructure, Harbours Division): report of wreck and salvage form (PDF) ↗. Tell Manx National Heritage about finds of historic interest through the Isle of Man Historic Environment Record ↗.
Marine Nature Reserves have byelaws that apply to divers as well as anglers: no damage to protected habitats or species. See the Calf of Man and Wart Bank leaflet ↗.
Want more wrecks?
This is 101 wrecks on the chart and 3 more described but not drawn, and more can be added. For the whole picture, Manx National Heritage keeps the island's official record of about 1,900 underwater sites in the Isle of Man Historic Environment Record, also searchable on the Unpath'd Waters portal. Adrian Corkill's Shipwrecks of the Isle of Man (Tempus, 2003) is the standard diver's guide and the main source of this page: we take its facts, in our own words and with its page numbers, and nothing of its text, photographs or charts. We link to the Historic Environment Record rather than copy it: its record is licensed for non-commercial use only.
Spotted a mistake or have a position, depth or hull report to add? Tell us and say where it comes from.
Credits and sources
Every figure on this page carries the source it came from. The wording is ours: facts are taken from the sources, never their text. Data last checked 2026-10-29.
Main source. Facts (positions, depths, the ratings (his five-star ratings, shown doubled out of 10), vessel and loss details, site descriptions and the fish named) from Adrian Corkill, Shipwrecks of the Isle of Man (Tempus, 2003), the owner's copy, restated in our own words with the book's page numbers. The book is in copyright and none of its text, pictures or charts appears here.
Wreck records. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: UK Hydrographic Office wrecks and obstructions data, downloaded from the EMODnet Human Activities portal.
Depth contours. This data product was created by EMODnet, is owned by the EU and is licensed under CC BY 4.0.
Positions are approximate and are not for navigation. Always use official charts and current notices to mariners. Manx Wire accepts no liability for their use. Wreck data: Adrian Corkill's Shipwrecks of the Isle of Man (facts only, with page numbers), the UK Hydrographic Office (Open Government Licence v3.0) and the Manx Wire owner's chart notes; see https://manxwire.im/culture/divers-and-fishing/#sources.
Wreck, chart and depth data
UK Hydrographic Office wrecks and obstructions, worldwide wreck locations layer (EMODnet Human Activities) ↗· UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO); distributed by EMODnet Human Activities (data originator AND-International) Licence: Open Government Licence v3.0 (UKHO data); the EMODnet distribution record cites CC BY 4.0 Credit: Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: UK Hydrographic Office wrecks and obstructions data (dataset revised 26 December 2024), downloaded from the EMODnet Human Activities portal; data originator AND-International. Not for navigation. Used for: Records for each wreck in the Isle of Man area read through EMODnet's open WFS service (layer emodnet:wwshipwrecks): position, depth, size, date lost and the short survey and condition remarks, all re-written in our own words. Reproducible with `npm run wrecks:ukho`. (69 wrecks).
Owner's annotated copy of a printed sea chart of the Isle of Man (hand-written wreck list and plotted wrecks)· Manx Wire (the owner's own annotated copy; the chart scan is not published) Licence: Not republished. Only the owner's hand-written names, tonnages and positions are transcribed, and positions are read off the plot against the chart's own graticule. Credit: Wreck names, tonnages and positions transcribed from the owner's annotated copy of a printed sea chart of the Isle of Man (the chart itself is not reproduced). Used for: Six positions hand-written beside the chart and sixteen wrecks drawn as arrows with a name and a tonnage. Positions are either "stated" (copied exactly as written) or "read from the plot" (measured against the 54°00'N parallel and the 5°W and 4°30'W meridians, about 0.5 nm uncertainty). See docs/WRECKS.md. (16 wrecks).
Owner's annotated copy of a colour sea chart of the Isle of Man (the "HMS Champagne?" note)· Manx Wire (the owner's own annotated copy; the chart scan is not published) Licence: Not republished. One note and one plotted symbol are transcribed. Credit: One annotation transcribed from the owner's annotated copy of a printed colour sea chart of the Isle of Man (the chart itself is not reproduced). Used for: The arrow labelled "HMS Champagne? (2 cables from reported position)": its symbol was read against the chart's ruled latitude and longitude scales. (1 wreck).
EMODnet Digital Bathymetry (DTM 2024) ↗· EMODnet Bathymetry Consortium Licence: CC BY 4.0 (EMODnet data products). Depths are relative to Lowest Astronomical Tide. Not for navigation. Credit: This data product was created by EMODnet (https://emodnet.ec.europa.eu/en/), is owned by the EU and is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) licence. EMODnet Bathymetry Consortium (2024), EMODnet Digital Bathymetry (DTM 2024). Used for: The depth contours on the chart (drawn by Manx Wire from the 1/16 arc-minute grid), and the seabed depth at three chart-plotted positions. It also served as an independent check: at 22 offshore UKHO wreck positions the grid depth agrees with the UKHO water depth to within about 6 m (17 of them within 2 m). (3 wrecks).
Manx National Heritage: Underwater sites (Isle of Man Historic Environment Record subset) on the Unpath'd Waters portal ↗· Manx National Heritage, shared by the Archaeology Data Service Licence: CC BY-NC (non-commercial). Not used for data here because Manx Wire carries advertising; linked as the official record. Credit: Official record of Manx underwater sites: Manx National Heritage, Isle of Man Historic Environment Record (isleofmanher.im), via the Archaeology Data Service's Unpath'd Waters portal. Used for: Link only. About 1,900 records originating in Adrian Corkill's data; CC BY-NC, so none of its text or positions is copied.
Isle of Man trip report (Clan McMaster and Calf Sound drift) ↗· A visiting diver, on ScubaBoard Licence: A forum post by its author: facts only, linked. Credit: A diver's trip report on ScubaBoard. Used for: One diver's report that the Clan MacMaster lies at about 15 m and was dived as a drift of 3 to 4 knots through Calf Sound. (1 wreck).
Wikipedia articles on each species ↗· Wikipedia contributors Licence: CC BY-SA 4.0. Only facts (depth ranges, habitat, sizes, status) are used, in our own words. Credit: General depth and habitat ranges for each species from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); each card links its article. Used for: Typical depth ranges, habitat, size and conservation status for each species (general references, not Manx records). (14 species).
Shipwrecks of the Isle of Man, by Adrian Corkill (Tempus, 2003), the owner's copy· Tempus (now The History Press). Identified from the running title and the publisher named in earlier research; the pages supplied do not include the title page. Licence: In copyright. Only facts are used, in our own words, with the book's page numbers; none of its text, photographs or charts is reproduced. Credit: Facts from Adrian Corkill, Shipwrecks of the Isle of Man (Tempus, 2003), the owner's copy; page numbers are the book's own. Copyright the author and publisher. Used for: The main source: positions, depths, the three star ratings (hull, scenery, angling), vessel and loss facts, the wreck-site description and the species named in the angling text, each restated in our own words. (92 wrecks).
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