Duo-Divers

A view on the flange end, it's all rusting nicely which is down to the bad conditions 'ripping away' the weed......the metal rusts, weeds recolonise, weeds are ripped off and around we go until there is no metal left!

In common with most southern sites there were loads of Snale locks anemones (Anemonia viridis) on surfaces where there was sun and water movement.

A typical north east wreck dive, plates, boilers n bits. In this case probably Jan Van Ryswyck although a few vessels have foundered so the bits are somehwhat mixed!

working down the wreck it's pretty intact so you do get to see the ship even though it's at ninety degrees to the norm

Part of the stern section of SS Mistley, there is a small area where the girder construction is still present and maybe 1m above the seabed.

As you approach the debris field you will find little lengths of lead coated wiring sticking out of the sand or protruding from under stones.

The lower mounting position where the pin would fit, from a little distance away

The divers favourite a Tompot Blenny (Parablennius gattorugine) it's probably the 'mad hair-cut' that makes them popular.

A compressed air tank, as used to blow ballast from the tanks and enable the submarine to surface. There are loads of these dotted around the site, they are not torpedos, lost dive cylinders or similar and to date I haven't managed to find any with the brass valves in place.

and closer.....

Another larger boiler, showing the fire hole, head from the donkey boiler back along a 10m deep zone and you'll find it.

A view of the business end of an Angler-fish (Lophius piscatorious) there are loads about the sites and once you've spotted one they become easier to see.

Wreckage from SS Mistley, in this case from near the stern. This structure was only eally 'thrown up' after storms a couple of winters ago!

The grunions were soldered in place although they were a push fit.

Maybe not totally original but having bullied the crab I pushed my torch inside the barrel of this gun..............

A winch which is located on the flat seabed in about 14m, well on a flat area of ship! Take care swimming around this lump as it is festooned with rope, some maybe from attempted lifts whilst others are probably from lost lobster pots.

Wreckage from SS Loch Leven which foundered without the loss of life, not an oft dived site but very nice scenery plus rust!

A very scenic dip with dead mans fingers (Alcyonium digitatum) covering hard rock with boulders in some of the larger gullies.

The first anchor, of an early Danforth pattern!