The fo ’ c ’ sle has been extensively damaged
The hawser has broken away on the bow area
UKDIVING propeller we hadn ’ t managed to identify it .
Quite quickly , the Toilet Wreck became my personal favourite , bringing together the very best aspects of UK diving . The element of discovery has a massive impact on me , along with the sheer amount of colour and life on the wreck . The four bladed prop is still in place , and the wreck lies upright on the seabed , its stern section standing up , four to five metres proud of the substrate . Many of the original features are still in place , including various gauges and whistles .
“ Quite quickly , the Toilet Wreck became my personal favourite ”
The perfect dive
So here we are Sunday 28 May , the official start of our 2023 local dive season . We ’ ve got a few trips to Lundy under our belt and it ’ s the first neap tide with a great forecast . As we get the club ’ s hard boat Neptune off the mooring a local fishing boat skipper tells how good the viz has been , and our excitement grows .
Five of us want to dive the Toilet Wreck , but without a dedicated skipper it ’ s a case of sharing the slack water . The first wave will enter the water with half a knot of tide , then it ’ s a quick changeover and the second wave will enter the water as I take the helm . Divers on the day are Diving Officer Paul Armstrong , Steve Ashton , Dan Millard , Dan Reynolds and myself .
There are always unknowns on a dive like this . It ’ s what makes it so exciting but it ’ s also what makes us so respectful of the sea and its tidal moods , the generosity of which can change daily .
Steve , Dan M and I are in on the first wave . Shot deployed , we ’ re kitted-up and watching the buoy , just waiting for the tide to ease , and off we go ! It ’ s a bit of a pull to fin down the shot but when we get there it ’ s all so worth it .
We start off in line with the cargo hold , just forward of the engine and boilers , and head towards the bow , the flattest part of the wreck .
Both bow anchors are still in the hawser , which has been completely broken away from the hull . A third , spare anchor provides a nice photo opportunity .
Starboard area , ahead of the cargo hold
Fish getting in the way of the wreck
Upside-down winch
Mast step on wooden deck
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