40 metre wreck dives
The Simla
The Simla is quite an old wreck and is not surprisingly well broken up. Sunk in a collision in 1884 she was carrying a cargo of crockery, bottles and steam engines. Many of these items can still be found lying around the wreck. I found an interesting link to the wreck on a website about celtic malt whiskies! Apparently it had a cargo of Scotlands finest on board, but I have never managed to find one yet. The wreck sank upright although it is difficult to envisage due to the sides collapsing. A bit far round to the West of the Island so if you want to dive this wreck you may be better going from Chichester or Lymington.
The Mendi
One
of the saddest stories of WWI and South Africa's worst disaster of the war
occurred on 21 February 1917. The Mendi was a troop ship carrying 823
South African soldiers when it collided with the 11K ton SS Darco at
full speed approximately 18 miles off St Catherines Point. Within 25
minutes the Mendi was at the bottom taking over 600 men with her. The
Mendi has settled slightly onto her starboard side on a sand and gravel seabed
at 40m. The stern gun can still be seen as can the 4
large boilers. The wreck stands 12m from the seabed and the visibility
in this area of water is usually good. There are plenty of military
artifacts such as artillery shells and ammunition and watch out for as well
as some large shoals of pollack. The Mendi is an excellent dive and
well worth the extra journey time to get round to St Catherines Point, but
please remember that many lives were lost on this vessel and it should be
treated with the respect it deserves.
More wreck dives coming soon .........
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