Know the Shore
With UK divers returning to the sea , Anita Sherwood recommends two rewarding shore dives in the
SS Janet Clark
LOCATION : St Mary ’ s Island , Whitley Bay
DIRECTIONS : A193 Blyth-Whitley bay � follow signs for St Mary ’ s island � entry point is 66 walking paces NW of pillar ( see below )
SAT NAV : NE26 4RS ( nearest postcode )
SAT NAV : NZ353755 Lat : 55:04:23N Lon : 1:26:50W
AIR FILL : Deep Blue Dive 0191 2536220 www . deepbluedive . com
CURRENTS : Swell with N , NE , E , SE , S winds
HAZARDS : Avoid on LW as kelp is difficult to cross over rocks . Avoid on HW springs as crossing causeway could be dangerous
B & B : Sandsbrook : 0191 2524133
CAMPSITE : Gilhespy Green Park : 01670 352074
PUB FOOD : Delaval Arms : 0191 2370489 COASTGUARD : Humber : 01262 672317
NORTH EAST OF ENGLAND
The Janet Clark collided into the rocks at St Mary ’ s island during severe storms on Christmas Eve in 1894 , pre-lighthouse . Today the steamer is a fascinating dive with a boiler , prop shaft and propeller to poke around . After parking on the mainland , trek over the causeway to St Mary ’ s island . Once at the lighthouse follow the outside wall around over flat rocks ( see map for entry ).
A short snorkel out over platforms of rock soon leads over a small cliff wall where just beyond , the wreck can be found in 3-8m . If you find the prop shaft , you ’ ll locate all the main sections of wreckage . Follow this down out to sea , passing many cavernous windows in the wreckage and eventually you ’ ll reach the propeller housed under a metal arch . If you continue on , there are some lovely steep gullies to be explored . Head back down the prop shaft towards the bow and upon reaching the end turn right 90 degrees for
causeway ( covered during HW )
the boiler . The boiler rises 4m from the sea bed with vertical tubes still attached . If you continue towards and , there are some lovely gullies to investigate with tiny chunks of wreckage hidden within .
entry & exit
66 paces lighthouse wall concrete pillar
pay & display
The tidal causeway to St Mary ’ s Island
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