Every now and then , I like to leave the dive cylinders at home and revert to snorkelling . Setting off with mask , snorkel and fins – plus camera , naturally – allows so much freedom when trying to access some of the more secluded sites around the UK ’ s coast . In my home county of Dorset this is one place I return to , time and again .
The wreck of the steam powered coal barge , Minx , lies close to Pool Ledge , approximately halfway between Osmington Mills and Ringstead Bay . In November 1927 , she broke free from her moorings in Portland Harbour by night , then drifted across Weymouth Bay , with no souls aboard . Attempts to salvage her were soon given up ; local lore records that the residents of Osmington Mills had a very cosy Christmas that year having ‘ salvaged ’ much of the coal for themselves .
With shallow hidden reefs close to the wreck site , it ’ s difficult to put a boat here , but with a little bit of effort and minimal kit , the relatively short walk – approximately half a mile – from either Osmington Mills ( my preference ) or Ringstead Bay ( slightly further in distance ) makes this venture one of my favourites .
After nearly two decades of visiting this site , it has become my favourite snorkel in Dorset ; I have introduced it to family and friends alike . There ’ s just something about the wreck that I feel offers newbies , whether young or old , a wonderful introduction into the underwater world .
The wreck is best snorkelled during spells of very calm weather , or periods of northerly winds , which should help with sea conditions and visibility . The flip side to this is that the area is extremely exposed to the usual south or south-westerly winds that frequent the Dorset coast , and which can reduce the viz to zero . Ideally , try to time your visit on an outgoing tide , for her ribs and rudder arm will become visible as the tide drops , making for some wonderful photo opportunities .
Snorkelling the wreck
The entry at the shoreline is directly in front of the bow . You have to negotiate some weed covered rocks and boulders , which give way to a flat seabed comprising of large sandy patches among the many different types of seaweeds . At times , especially on long warm summer days , it almost feels like you are snorkelling in the tropics , as the sunlight dapples through the water column and dances over the ripples in the sand .
“ For those taking a camera , a photography bonanza begins at the bow ”
For those taking a camera , a photography bonanza begins at the bow . For , rising a metre above the surface – even on the highest tide – the barnacle encrusted metal remains make for a beautiful photo , possibly a split level if you have a wide angle lens and dome port . Also here is a square , window-like opening in the wreck , providing a great place to photograph your buddy peering through the remnants of what was once an important vessel .
Before you leave the bow section , take a moment to look down the hawse pipe , once a place for the anchor chain to feed through and keep the vessel secure . It has now become a place of safety for the small fish seeking refuge .
Calm spells allow excellent viz
Heading further out to sea , six metal ribs stand proud on the ebbing tide , a resting place for many a cormorant drying their feathers , which always fly off with approaching snorkellers .
At this point , in hopefully good visibility , head east . You will find that depth increases slightly and one part of the wreck forms an arch-like doorway that offers another fantastic photo opportunity . It ’ s also a part of the wreck where you can find pieces of coal – the much diminished cargo . It ’ s a three-metre duck dive to a sandy bottom , where the coal lumps can be found . Despite many storms , these relics have been there for nearly a century .
Continuing from here and out to sea , you will come to the rudder arm , the most photogenic part of the wreck . High tide or low tide , this is the image of the wreck I love most . There ’ s something magical about
Rudder arm at high water
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