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THE PELICAN WRECK
Depth 25 mtrs
N54.56.25 W001.18.20
2 miles E.N.E. or Roker lighthouse.
The Pelican was a steel flat barge 30 mtrs long 12. mtr beam .
She was fitted with a large compressor and small crane and a moon pool for drilling through.
She is believed to have been on charter to M.Devlin owner of the Tyne Towage Company Based on the river Tyne.
The vessel was under tow with a cargo of steel pipes and drilling equipment when it was believed she floundered in heavy seas off Whitburn and two miles East North EAST OF ROKER pier lighthouse.
The wreck was dived on and surveyed for the owners in 1999 By Jeff Maine Owner of the Tyne Wear Marine Co based at the Tyne dock near Jarrow -on -Tyne.
The wreck lies close to the remains of the ATLANTIC ? in a North to south direction on a sea bed of sand and gravel.
She lies upside down with the crane sticking out one side.
There is approx a 1 mtr space between the ship and the seabed.
The moon pool is visible on the top of the hull.
A large number of cOd and lobsters are said to have taken refuge under the ship.
Tidal streams are brisk .
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RENEN, ex-PROSPERO, ex, PRIMA
Depth: 16m
Reference: N55 00 263 W001 22 879
1mile S.E of Tyne south pier lighthouse.
The Renen was an iron 517-ton Norwegian steamship that was registered at Christiania and had dimensions measuring: 54.7m by lenght, by an 8.44m beam and draught of 4.30m.
Denton Gray & Co
built her as yard No-89 at West Hartlepool in 1869 and she was launched as the Prima for Flensburg Steam Ship Co. In 1879,
Flensburg Ship Building Co. at Flensburg fitted her with a 91nhp two-cylinder compound steam engine that powered her single iron screw propeller, which put her weight up to 656-ton.
In 1883, she was renamed Prospero and in 1889 her boiler was replaced. she has one-deck, a well deck and small centrally positioned superstructure. On 26 January 1920 the Renen was on passage from the Tyne to Tonsberg, with a cargo of coke, when she foundered and was lost, following a collision near the Tyne estuary.
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The wreck is Oriented in the south-east to north-west direction on the seabed of dirty, coarse sand in a general depth of 16m, the lowest astronomical depth. She is now totally collapsed and well broken up, with .her boiler and engine exposed and surrounded by lots of broken iron spars, plates, lengths of flattened copper-pipes and bits of machinery.
The highest section is around her boiler/engine, being no higher than 3m, and she covers an area of about 50m x14m. It is possible to fish the site at most states of the tide, but the best time is during the neap tide after a spell of dry, settled weather.
A couple of large monkfish have been observed among the wreckage and the occasional cod and lobster have been seen, but the wreck is hardly worth spending any time fishing over.
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THE SUNNIVA WRECK
Depth 40 mtrs
N 54.56.420 W 001.15.470
also
N 54.56.420 W 001.14.094
4 miles N.E of Roker Lighthouse
The Sunniva was a steel 1.913 ton British registered steam ship 81.4m long 11.6mtr beam draught of 5.4 mtrs.
She was built by J.Crown & Co Ltd in Sunderland in 1917 and owned by E.R Newbiggin of Newcastle upon Tyne.
Her single prop was powered by a 3 cylinder triple expansion steam engine that used two boilers.
On June 28th 1918 she was in ballast on passage from London bound for the Tyne Four miles off Sunderland when she was torpedoed and sunk by th inperial German submarine SM UC 17
The U boat was credited with the sinking of 94 vessels totaling 143,870 tons of shipping in the north east of England.
The U boat went on to survive the until the end of the first world war .
SURRENDERED post war to the allies and was broken up in Preston in 1919/ 1920.
The wreck of the Sunnive lies in a 1 mtr scour on a sea bed of dirty sand and stone .
Mr Bob Scullion of the Marsden Dive Center said that she is very substantial standing upright with the real 1/3 of the ships hull still intact.
her prop and large stern deck gun is still in place.
although the wreck has collapsed just before her boilers and engines which are surrounded by broken steel framework and plates .
she them becomes level with the seabed.
The wreck is an excellent boat fishing venue because large shoals of fish especially pouting whiting and cad are often present.
Tidal streams can at times be strong.
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THE TRIDENT WRECK
Depth 46 mtrs
N54.55.789 w 001.13.789
5 1/2 miles E of Roker pier Lighthouse
Also given as N54.00.849 W 001.14.065
5 1/2 miles East from Tyne South Pier lighthouse.
The TRIDENT was a steel 4,317 ton British steamship Registered in Newcastle upon tyne .
With dimentions of 114.3 mtrs in length and a beam of 15.57 and a draught of 7.69 mtrs.
Built in 1917 by the Sunderland Ship Building company and owned at the time of loss by Quayside shipping Co Ltd.
Her single prop was powered by a three cylinder triple expansion steam engine that developed 371 hp using 2 boilers.
Her machinery was built by the North East Marine Enginering Co Ltd at Sunderland.
She had one deck and 6 watertight bulkheads and a superstructure consisting of a 8.8mtr poop deck.a 32,3 mtr bridge deck and a 11.6 forecastle.
The vessel was classed by Lloyds as a 100.A1.
on August the 1st 1914 the Tridend had just arrived from Montreal with a 6000 ton cargo of bagged grain and beans, When she was bombed by a german aircraft while standing at anchor offshore waiting to enter the river Tyne.
With the vessel seriously damaged her crew abandoned her.
She stayed afloat until the early hours of the following morning sinking at 1.40 am.
NO positive identification has been made as yet
2 sets of cords were given for this wreck both are of large vessels.
the cords were given by survey vessels 1952 and again in 1957.
However the Trident is positioned very close to those cords and now shows on the modern admiralty charts.
She lies in a position of North North west to south south east direction on a sea bed of mud sand and black shells in a depth approx 46 mtrs.
The wreck stands some 9 mtrs high midships from the seabed ..
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THE ADAMS BECK WRECK
depth 52 mtrs
N 54. 58. 472 W 001.11.421
also
N 54.58. 984 W 001.13.581
6 miles East of Souter Lighthouse
The Adams Beck was a steel 2,816 ton British steamship registered in London
96.01 mtrs long 13.53 beam and a draught of 6.01 mtrs.
She was built in 1941 by The Burntisland Ship Building Company Ltd.
and owned by the Gas Light & Coke company Ltd.
her single steel prop was powered by a three cylinder triple expansion steam engine that developed a 240hp using two boilers.
Her Aft machinery was built by D.Rowan & Co Ltd at Glasgow.
She had a cruiser stern one deck and 3 water tight bulkheads and a superstructure that consisted of 58.6mtr quarterdeck and a 8.8 mtr forecastle.
On July 29th 1941 the Adams Beck was on passage from the Tyne for London with a 4,181 ton cargo of COAL when she was attacked and bombed by German aircraft.
Onw of her crew was killed and the ship was so seriously damaged that the rest of the crew abandoned ship.
She remained floating until the following day when she foundered at 12.30 and sunk.
The first set of cords has the ship oriented in a North East to South West direction on a seabed of dirty sand silt and shells 6 miles East off Souter Point.
She is very substantial standing upto 8 mtrs off the seabed and intact at the stern end
However the superstructure has now collapsed down to her decks and the hull is beginning to collapse amidships towards the bow.
She covers and area of approx 100mtrs x 45 mtrs with many broken and twisted plates girders and sections of mast. mainly to the forward end of the ship.The most interesting end is the stern end where large numbers of Cod and ling have been seen and caught.
Tidal streams are strong at times.
The second set of given cords are the same as those given by the steamship Pink Rose
It is possible that the Adams Beck broke in two after being bombed then drifted apart and the bow section settling at the second position.
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The BLAIRHALL WRECK
ex Heros
Depth 42 mtrs
N 54.57.879 W 001.16. 538
2 1/2 miles E.of Souter Lighthouse.
The Brairhall was on iron 2,549 steel British registered steamship 91.45 mtrs long 12.25 beam and a draught of 6.36 mtrs.
Sje was built as the Heros in 1899.
At the time of loss she was owned by Clydesdale Navigation Co Ltd. and managed by Nesbet George and Co of Glasgow.
Her single bronze prop was powered by a 3 cylinder triple expansion steam engine that used two boilers.
The vessel was armed with a 610kg 12 cwt stern mounted deck gun that fired 12lb shells .
On the 26 July 1918 the vessel was off Sunderland in ballast on passage from Middles borough for the Tyne when she was torpedoed by the imperial submarine SM UC 40
The Blairhall managed to move closer inshore but on the following day she foundered with the loss of one crewman within minutes of passing inside of the south buoy.
The U boat SM UC 40 went on to survive the rigors of the first world war.
The wreck lies in an Est to West direction on a hard bed of dirty fine sand and gravel
With NO scour around the remains.
she is standing upright at a height of 7 1/2 mtrs from the seabed from the stern 2/3 the ship is intact but damaged with her deck gun and bronze prop still attached.
The centre section has collapsed in on its self onto the boilers.
however much of the deck and and deck fittings are intact.
There is an abundant amount of fish at most times and should make a good boat venue.
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THE WRECK HUMBER
Depth 45mtrs
N 54. 58. 069 W 001. 14. 643.
also
N 54. 58. 050 W 001. 14. 467
4 1/2 miles East of Souter Lighthouse.
The Humber was an Iron 280 ton British registered ship steamship
39.5 mtrs and a beam of 6.7 mtrs draught 3 mtrs.
She was built in 1899 by Androssan Dry Dock Company Ltd and owned at the time of loss by J.B.Knapton.
Her single iron prop was powered by a three cylinder triple expansion steam engine that used one boiler.
On January 1918 the ship was torpedoed and sunk by the imperial German submarine
SM UB 34 With the loss of 7 of her crew .
while 4 3/4 miles East of Souter Point SM UB 34 surrendered to the allies at the end of the first world war She was scrapped in 1922 at Canning Town.
The wreck believed to be that of the Humber lies in a South to south east to north north east direction on a seabed of dirty sand and shingle.
For such a small vessel the ship stands some 5 mtrs off the seabed and fairly intact.
However she has collapsed down amidships.
Where her engine and boiler are fully exposed.
The stern end is fully intact along with her iron stern tube and prop.
At least two large conger eels have been seen 20 plus kilos in size under the plates of steel along with a number of large Cod.
Tidal streams are very strong here at times.
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THE EAGLE III, WRECK
Depth: 55m
Reference: N 54 58 806 W 001 515
61/2 miles E. of souter lighthouse.
The Eagle III was steel, Panamanian-registered motor vessel of 400 tons, built in 1956.
She had dimensions of 54.4m lenght, by 10m beam.
Her single propeller (possibly bronze) was powered by diesel engine..She is understood to have had a small, stern-positioned bridge superstructure.
On 16 November 1977 the Eagle III was on a passage from Tayport to Bergen, with an unspecified cargo of stone,
when some ten miles east of the Tyne she developed a serious leak in hull plates.She took on heavy list and her master radioed for assistance.
She was taken in tow by the MFV Nova Spero. However, the following morning, when the two vessels were six and half mile east of Souter lighthouse, she went down to the bottom.
Wreck-site
The wreck lies oriented in the north-west to south-east direction on a seabed of dirty, muddy sand and silt in general depth of 55m,
She is completely intact, sits upright some 71/2m high at the south-eastern end which is the highest point, where her bridge structure is located
There are few reports of fish on the wreck but it would be most unusual if they were not present in large numbers.
Tidal streams are very strong
there is also a strong possibility that trawl nets may have become entangled with the wreck,
The wreck is a long way from the shore, so a good lookout is required at all times, when
fishing......
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THE NUBIA WRECK, on the bottom
Depth 40 mtrs
N 54.59.026 W 001.17.281.
2 1/2 miles East of Souter Lighthouse
The Nubia was a steel 196 ton British Steam fishing vessel
34.56 mtrs long 6.29 beam and a draught of 3.4 mtrs
She was built in 1903 as trawler number 113246 at Hull as yard number 352 by Cook Welton & Gemmell and launched as Nubia on the 25th August 1903 and Registered as GY1275 on August 28th for her new owners. The Great Grimsby & East Steam fishing Company Ltd.
Her single steel prop was run by three cylinder triple expansion steam engine that developed a 59 hp using a single Boiler Giving the registered vessel a speed of some 10 knots.
Her machinery was build by Amos & Smith at Hull.
She had one deck three watertight bulkheads a 14.9 mtr quarterdeck and a 5.8 forecastle.
In February 1937 she was sold to one Henry G .Hopwood & Charles Taylor of Grimsby then sold onto the Japan Fishing Co Ltd on may the 20th 1937.
In 1939 she was requisitioned by the Royal navy and converted to an Auxiliary patrol vessel.
On the 17 October 1941 HMT Nubia foundered and was lost at see with six of her crew following a collision with an unnamed vessel 6 miles offshore from the river Tyne.
This wreck believed to be the Nubia lies East South East to West North West on a seabed of sand and gravel.
She is reported to be sitting upright intact and approx 3mtrs above the seabed With her bridge superstructure broken down to deck level.
The bottom of her hull is partially buried in the sand .
There is an open deck hatch and a broken jib or derrick lies over the top of her.
A long steel hawser leads from the stern section for about 20 to 25 mtrs.
No fish have been reported on this site.
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THE INVERLANE WRECK.
Depth 8 mtrs
N54.56.294 W001.21.002
ALSO
N54.56.305 W001.21.003
1 mile North of Roker lighthouse.
The Inverlane was a steel 9,141 ton British motor tanker registered in London.
She was built in 1938 one of 7 tankers built for the Inver Tanker Co in Germany during the late 1930s.
It was intended that the 7 Inver tankers would supply oil to a projected oil refinery at Dublin But the refinery was never built.
Ironically all 7 tankers were were eiter mined or torpedoed by the very nation that built them.
On Thursday the 14th December 1939 the ship was on passage from Abadan for Anvorgorden with 12,694 tons of fuel/ furnace oil .
She was some miles out off tynemouth when she was detonated by a German mine.
The explosion ripped through the ship leaving 3 crew member missing out of a compliment of 40. with one dead onboard .
Eventully due to bad weather she was abandoned and left to sink.
However for 36 hours she drifted unseen for over a distance of 26 miles.
Two days later on the Saturday the Sunderland Echo's headlines read.
GHOST SHIP COMES ASHORE AT DAWN IN SANDY BAY ON THE NORTH EAST COAST.
A clearance diver called Jim Devlin of Gateshead recalled that she burned for f
5 days and was used as a marker at night by the German Bombers.
Jim was given the job of inspecting the wreck with his salvage boat Starling.
However he had to wait until the fires had burned out and the hull cooled before he could start his works.
He found she was down by the stern and had broken her back the combined result of
the German mine and the massive explosion.
After the inspection the authorities had written her off and the ship was cut into 2 parts with the tanker section and the fore part being towed off to be repaired at Shouth Shields.
In July 1940 she was again towed to the Hughs Bolckow ship breaking company Ltd at Blyth for conversion into a blockship.
Despite difficulties in obtaining cement and timber supplies the work of loading the ship with 3000 tons of heavy rubble sand and cement was completed and sh was towed to Scapa flow.
Even that long voyage was not without incident because 2 of the towing hawsers snapped leading to the unhappy crew being replaced by naval personal.
She arrived at scapa flow on Christmas day 1940 where she was designated as a spare block ship.
However she was used for fire fighting practice by the royal navy at Lyness for 4 years before eventually being sunk between Hoy and Graemsay in the burra sound on the middle reef in May 1944.
Finding the Inverlane Off seaburn is not very difficult.
By leaving Roker Pier at low water you turn North in line for Souter point until you almost reach the Whitburn steel reef.
Which dries out some 400 mtrs off shore.
then transit line up the Fullwell Mill with the gable end of the Seaburn Hotel.
The ships wreckage covers a wide area and the seabed to the south is all sand
so dragging a light grapnel will soon locate the wreckage.
The giant engine block stands upright and the Kelp on top is visible from the surface during a spring tide.
However the engine block now lies on it's side.
In 1999 the wreckage are was huge but apart from around the engine block most of the ships remains are level with the sea bed.
boat fishing drifting is recommended due to the tangle of steel .
Wrasse cod and coley can be seen on a regular basis
the depth at low water is some 8 to 10 mtrs and in the summer huge shoals of mackerel
gather around the site.
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The CRATER WRECK.
Depth 54 mtrs
N 54.58.917 W 001.10.900
6 /12 miles East Of Souter Lighthouse.
The Crater was a steel 132 tons steam fishing trawler Registered in Fleetwood .
30.25 long 6.12 beam and a draught of 3.14
She was built My Mackie Thompson in Glasgow in 1896 and owned at the time of loss by
Ashworth & Taylor.
Her single steel prop was powered by a three cylinder triple expansion steam engine that developed 45 hp using a single boiler.
Her machinery was built by Muir & Houston Ltd in Glasgow.
She had a yawl rig one deck a 5.2 mtr quarterdeck and a 5.8mtr forecastle.
The Crater foundered and was lost on 2nd Feb 1926 after developing a serious leak when it struck a submerged undefined object.
The wreck site although not positively confirmed is believed to be that of the trawler.
It lies on a hard seabed of dirty sand and shale just inside the spoil grounds and stands 5.5 mtrs high above the seabed.
It is completely intact except for a small amount of damage to the quarterdeck which have collapsed
No fish have been reported being seen or caught at this wreck.
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THE GATESHEAD WRECK.
Gateshead ex Wilhelmima Polder ex Gouwzee.
Depth 50 mtrs
N54.56.235 W001.09.845
8 miles E of Roker Lighthouse.
The Gateshead was a steel 730 ton British steamship Registered in Newcastle Upon Tyne .
With a length of 55,32 mtrs and a beam off 8.58 draught of 3.73 mtrs.
She was built as the Gouwezz By Gebr Bodewes at Lobith in Holland and owned at the time of loss the Tyne Tees Shipping co.ltd.
Her single steel prop was powered by a three cylinder triple expansion steam engine that developed 82 hp using one boiler.
Her machinery was built by Verschure & co in 1932.
The Gateshead was on voyage from Newcastle upon Thne to Amsterdam with a general cargo and a cargo of Coal when she foundered and was lost following a collision 7 miles east of Sunderland.
The wreck site believed to be that of the Gateshead lies North west to south East on a seabed of fine sand . mud and broken black shells.
The general depth is 50 mtrs.
The Wreck is said to be very substantial and intect standing upright some 7 mtrs high with most of her decking and deck machinery and hand rails still attached.
There is however considerable damage to the bow section.
Lots of dead mans fingers adorn the ship and a large shoal of Cod have been seen near to the stern section .
This wreck site should make an excellent boating venue when conditions are right As fish will be around the wreck at most times of the year.
Tidal streams are fairly strong and viability is usually poor but vastly improves in the summer months.
A good look out is required when fishing this site as it is in or very close to the main shipping lane.
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The GRIT WRECK.
Depth 55 mtrs
N54.57.939 W 001. 10. 482
6 1/2 miles E of Souter Point.
The Grit was a steel 501 ton British motor vessel registered in London .
size 48.89 mtrs 8.1 mtr beam and a draught of 2.84 mtrs.
She was built in 1934 bt G.Brown & Co at Greenock and owned by F.T.Everard & sons Ltd
Her single bronze prop was powered by a 5 cylinder oil / diesal engine 2S CSA that developed 72 hp. Her aft positioned machinery was built by The Newbury Diesal Company
she had a cruiser stern one dack and 3 watertight compartments and a superstructure consisting of a 31.1 mtr quarter deck and a 5.8 mtr forecastle.
On May 24th 1943 The Grit was on passage from Kings Lynn for the Tyne when she foundered 6 1/23 miles south if Whitburn following a collision.
The wreck lies just outside the spoil grounds in a 3 1/2 mtr scour and is East to West direction on a seabed of dirty mud and silt.
The wreck including the superstructure at the Western end is fully intact and standing 6 1/2 meters above the seabed.
large numbers of fish Cod in particular have taken up residence in the wreck and some large lobsters have also been observed.
Tidal streams are quite strong at times.
Best boat fishing is on the neap tides.
Depth 25 mtrs
N54.56.25 W001.18.20
2 miles E.N.E. or Roker lighthouse.
The Pelican was a steel flat barge 30 mtrs long 12. mtr beam .
She was fitted with a large compressor and small crane and a moon pool for drilling through.
She is believed to have been on charter to M.Devlin owner of the Tyne Towage Company Based on the river Tyne.
The vessel was under tow with a cargo of steel pipes and drilling equipment when it was believed she floundered in heavy seas off Whitburn and two miles East North EAST OF ROKER pier lighthouse.
The wreck was dived on and surveyed for the owners in 1999 By Jeff Maine Owner of the Tyne Wear Marine Co based at the Tyne dock near Jarrow -on -Tyne.
The wreck lies close to the remains of the ATLANTIC ? in a North to south direction on a sea bed of sand and gravel.
She lies upside down with the crane sticking out one side.
There is approx a 1 mtr space between the ship and the seabed.
The moon pool is visible on the top of the hull.
A large number of cOd and lobsters are said to have taken refuge under the ship.
Tidal streams are brisk .
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RENEN, ex-PROSPERO, ex, PRIMA
Depth: 16m
Reference: N55 00 263 W001 22 879
1mile S.E of Tyne south pier lighthouse.
The Renen was an iron 517-ton Norwegian steamship that was registered at Christiania and had dimensions measuring: 54.7m by lenght, by an 8.44m beam and draught of 4.30m.
Denton Gray & Co
built her as yard No-89 at West Hartlepool in 1869 and she was launched as the Prima for Flensburg Steam Ship Co. In 1879,
Flensburg Ship Building Co. at Flensburg fitted her with a 91nhp two-cylinder compound steam engine that powered her single iron screw propeller, which put her weight up to 656-ton.
In 1883, she was renamed Prospero and in 1889 her boiler was replaced. she has one-deck, a well deck and small centrally positioned superstructure. On 26 January 1920 the Renen was on passage from the Tyne to Tonsberg, with a cargo of coke, when she foundered and was lost, following a collision near the Tyne estuary.
.
The wreck is Oriented in the south-east to north-west direction on the seabed of dirty, coarse sand in a general depth of 16m, the lowest astronomical depth. She is now totally collapsed and well broken up, with .her boiler and engine exposed and surrounded by lots of broken iron spars, plates, lengths of flattened copper-pipes and bits of machinery.
The highest section is around her boiler/engine, being no higher than 3m, and she covers an area of about 50m x14m. It is possible to fish the site at most states of the tide, but the best time is during the neap tide after a spell of dry, settled weather.
A couple of large monkfish have been observed among the wreckage and the occasional cod and lobster have been seen, but the wreck is hardly worth spending any time fishing over.
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THE SUNNIVA WRECK
Depth 40 mtrs
N 54.56.420 W 001.15.470
also
N 54.56.420 W 001.14.094
4 miles N.E of Roker Lighthouse
The Sunniva was a steel 1.913 ton British registered steam ship 81.4m long 11.6mtr beam draught of 5.4 mtrs.
She was built by J.Crown & Co Ltd in Sunderland in 1917 and owned by E.R Newbiggin of Newcastle upon Tyne.
Her single prop was powered by a 3 cylinder triple expansion steam engine that used two boilers.
On June 28th 1918 she was in ballast on passage from London bound for the Tyne Four miles off Sunderland when she was torpedoed and sunk by th inperial German submarine SM UC 17
The U boat was credited with the sinking of 94 vessels totaling 143,870 tons of shipping in the north east of England.
The U boat went on to survive the until the end of the first world war .
SURRENDERED post war to the allies and was broken up in Preston in 1919/ 1920.
The wreck of the Sunnive lies in a 1 mtr scour on a sea bed of dirty sand and stone .
Mr Bob Scullion of the Marsden Dive Center said that she is very substantial standing upright with the real 1/3 of the ships hull still intact.
her prop and large stern deck gun is still in place.
although the wreck has collapsed just before her boilers and engines which are surrounded by broken steel framework and plates .
she them becomes level with the seabed.
The wreck is an excellent boat fishing venue because large shoals of fish especially pouting whiting and cad are often present.
Tidal streams can at times be strong.
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THE TRIDENT WRECK
Depth 46 mtrs
N54.55.789 w 001.13.789
5 1/2 miles E of Roker pier Lighthouse
Also given as N54.00.849 W 001.14.065
5 1/2 miles East from Tyne South Pier lighthouse.
The TRIDENT was a steel 4,317 ton British steamship Registered in Newcastle upon tyne .
With dimentions of 114.3 mtrs in length and a beam of 15.57 and a draught of 7.69 mtrs.
Built in 1917 by the Sunderland Ship Building company and owned at the time of loss by Quayside shipping Co Ltd.
Her single prop was powered by a three cylinder triple expansion steam engine that developed 371 hp using 2 boilers.
Her machinery was built by the North East Marine Enginering Co Ltd at Sunderland.
She had one deck and 6 watertight bulkheads and a superstructure consisting of a 8.8mtr poop deck.a 32,3 mtr bridge deck and a 11.6 forecastle.
The vessel was classed by Lloyds as a 100.A1.
on August the 1st 1914 the Tridend had just arrived from Montreal with a 6000 ton cargo of bagged grain and beans, When she was bombed by a german aircraft while standing at anchor offshore waiting to enter the river Tyne.
With the vessel seriously damaged her crew abandoned her.
She stayed afloat until the early hours of the following morning sinking at 1.40 am.
NO positive identification has been made as yet
2 sets of cords were given for this wreck both are of large vessels.
the cords were given by survey vessels 1952 and again in 1957.
However the Trident is positioned very close to those cords and now shows on the modern admiralty charts.
She lies in a position of North North west to south south east direction on a sea bed of mud sand and black shells in a depth approx 46 mtrs.
The wreck stands some 9 mtrs high midships from the seabed ..
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THE ADAMS BECK WRECK
depth 52 mtrs
N 54. 58. 472 W 001.11.421
also
N 54.58. 984 W 001.13.581
6 miles East of Souter Lighthouse
The Adams Beck was a steel 2,816 ton British steamship registered in London
96.01 mtrs long 13.53 beam and a draught of 6.01 mtrs.
She was built in 1941 by The Burntisland Ship Building Company Ltd.
and owned by the Gas Light & Coke company Ltd.
her single steel prop was powered by a three cylinder triple expansion steam engine that developed a 240hp using two boilers.
Her Aft machinery was built by D.Rowan & Co Ltd at Glasgow.
She had a cruiser stern one deck and 3 water tight bulkheads and a superstructure that consisted of 58.6mtr quarterdeck and a 8.8 mtr forecastle.
On July 29th 1941 the Adams Beck was on passage from the Tyne for London with a 4,181 ton cargo of COAL when she was attacked and bombed by German aircraft.
Onw of her crew was killed and the ship was so seriously damaged that the rest of the crew abandoned ship.
She remained floating until the following day when she foundered at 12.30 and sunk.
The first set of cords has the ship oriented in a North East to South West direction on a seabed of dirty sand silt and shells 6 miles East off Souter Point.
She is very substantial standing upto 8 mtrs off the seabed and intact at the stern end
However the superstructure has now collapsed down to her decks and the hull is beginning to collapse amidships towards the bow.
She covers and area of approx 100mtrs x 45 mtrs with many broken and twisted plates girders and sections of mast. mainly to the forward end of the ship.The most interesting end is the stern end where large numbers of Cod and ling have been seen and caught.
Tidal streams are strong at times.
The second set of given cords are the same as those given by the steamship Pink Rose
It is possible that the Adams Beck broke in two after being bombed then drifted apart and the bow section settling at the second position.
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The BLAIRHALL WRECK
ex Heros
Depth 42 mtrs
N 54.57.879 W 001.16. 538
2 1/2 miles E.of Souter Lighthouse.
The Brairhall was on iron 2,549 steel British registered steamship 91.45 mtrs long 12.25 beam and a draught of 6.36 mtrs.
Sje was built as the Heros in 1899.
At the time of loss she was owned by Clydesdale Navigation Co Ltd. and managed by Nesbet George and Co of Glasgow.
Her single bronze prop was powered by a 3 cylinder triple expansion steam engine that used two boilers.
The vessel was armed with a 610kg 12 cwt stern mounted deck gun that fired 12lb shells .
On the 26 July 1918 the vessel was off Sunderland in ballast on passage from Middles borough for the Tyne when she was torpedoed by the imperial submarine SM UC 40
The Blairhall managed to move closer inshore but on the following day she foundered with the loss of one crewman within minutes of passing inside of the south buoy.
The U boat SM UC 40 went on to survive the rigors of the first world war.
The wreck lies in an Est to West direction on a hard bed of dirty fine sand and gravel
With NO scour around the remains.
she is standing upright at a height of 7 1/2 mtrs from the seabed from the stern 2/3 the ship is intact but damaged with her deck gun and bronze prop still attached.
The centre section has collapsed in on its self onto the boilers.
however much of the deck and and deck fittings are intact.
There is an abundant amount of fish at most times and should make a good boat venue.
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THE WRECK HUMBER
Depth 45mtrs
N 54. 58. 069 W 001. 14. 643.
also
N 54. 58. 050 W 001. 14. 467
4 1/2 miles East of Souter Lighthouse.
The Humber was an Iron 280 ton British registered ship steamship
39.5 mtrs and a beam of 6.7 mtrs draught 3 mtrs.
She was built in 1899 by Androssan Dry Dock Company Ltd and owned at the time of loss by J.B.Knapton.
Her single iron prop was powered by a three cylinder triple expansion steam engine that used one boiler.
On January 1918 the ship was torpedoed and sunk by the imperial German submarine
SM UB 34 With the loss of 7 of her crew .
while 4 3/4 miles East of Souter Point SM UB 34 surrendered to the allies at the end of the first world war She was scrapped in 1922 at Canning Town.
The wreck believed to be that of the Humber lies in a South to south east to north north east direction on a seabed of dirty sand and shingle.
For such a small vessel the ship stands some 5 mtrs off the seabed and fairly intact.
However she has collapsed down amidships.
Where her engine and boiler are fully exposed.
The stern end is fully intact along with her iron stern tube and prop.
At least two large conger eels have been seen 20 plus kilos in size under the plates of steel along with a number of large Cod.
Tidal streams are very strong here at times.
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THE EAGLE III, WRECK
Depth: 55m
Reference: N 54 58 806 W 001 515
61/2 miles E. of souter lighthouse.
The Eagle III was steel, Panamanian-registered motor vessel of 400 tons, built in 1956.
She had dimensions of 54.4m lenght, by 10m beam.
Her single propeller (possibly bronze) was powered by diesel engine..She is understood to have had a small, stern-positioned bridge superstructure.
On 16 November 1977 the Eagle III was on a passage from Tayport to Bergen, with an unspecified cargo of stone,
when some ten miles east of the Tyne she developed a serious leak in hull plates.She took on heavy list and her master radioed for assistance.
She was taken in tow by the MFV Nova Spero. However, the following morning, when the two vessels were six and half mile east of Souter lighthouse, she went down to the bottom.
Wreck-site
The wreck lies oriented in the north-west to south-east direction on a seabed of dirty, muddy sand and silt in general depth of 55m,
She is completely intact, sits upright some 71/2m high at the south-eastern end which is the highest point, where her bridge structure is located
There are few reports of fish on the wreck but it would be most unusual if they were not present in large numbers.
Tidal streams are very strong
there is also a strong possibility that trawl nets may have become entangled with the wreck,
The wreck is a long way from the shore, so a good lookout is required at all times, when
fishing......
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THE NUBIA WRECK, on the bottom
Depth 40 mtrs
N 54.59.026 W 001.17.281.
2 1/2 miles East of Souter Lighthouse
The Nubia was a steel 196 ton British Steam fishing vessel
34.56 mtrs long 6.29 beam and a draught of 3.4 mtrs
She was built in 1903 as trawler number 113246 at Hull as yard number 352 by Cook Welton & Gemmell and launched as Nubia on the 25th August 1903 and Registered as GY1275 on August 28th for her new owners. The Great Grimsby & East Steam fishing Company Ltd.
Her single steel prop was run by three cylinder triple expansion steam engine that developed a 59 hp using a single Boiler Giving the registered vessel a speed of some 10 knots.
Her machinery was build by Amos & Smith at Hull.
She had one deck three watertight bulkheads a 14.9 mtr quarterdeck and a 5.8 forecastle.
In February 1937 she was sold to one Henry G .Hopwood & Charles Taylor of Grimsby then sold onto the Japan Fishing Co Ltd on may the 20th 1937.
In 1939 she was requisitioned by the Royal navy and converted to an Auxiliary patrol vessel.
On the 17 October 1941 HMT Nubia foundered and was lost at see with six of her crew following a collision with an unnamed vessel 6 miles offshore from the river Tyne.
This wreck believed to be the Nubia lies East South East to West North West on a seabed of sand and gravel.
She is reported to be sitting upright intact and approx 3mtrs above the seabed With her bridge superstructure broken down to deck level.
The bottom of her hull is partially buried in the sand .
There is an open deck hatch and a broken jib or derrick lies over the top of her.
A long steel hawser leads from the stern section for about 20 to 25 mtrs.
No fish have been reported on this site.
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THE INVERLANE WRECK.
Depth 8 mtrs
N54.56.294 W001.21.002
ALSO
N54.56.305 W001.21.003
1 mile North of Roker lighthouse.
The Inverlane was a steel 9,141 ton British motor tanker registered in London.
She was built in 1938 one of 7 tankers built for the Inver Tanker Co in Germany during the late 1930s.
It was intended that the 7 Inver tankers would supply oil to a projected oil refinery at Dublin But the refinery was never built.
Ironically all 7 tankers were were eiter mined or torpedoed by the very nation that built them.
On Thursday the 14th December 1939 the ship was on passage from Abadan for Anvorgorden with 12,694 tons of fuel/ furnace oil .
She was some miles out off tynemouth when she was detonated by a German mine.
The explosion ripped through the ship leaving 3 crew member missing out of a compliment of 40. with one dead onboard .
Eventully due to bad weather she was abandoned and left to sink.
However for 36 hours she drifted unseen for over a distance of 26 miles.
Two days later on the Saturday the Sunderland Echo's headlines read.
GHOST SHIP COMES ASHORE AT DAWN IN SANDY BAY ON THE NORTH EAST COAST.
A clearance diver called Jim Devlin of Gateshead recalled that she burned for f
5 days and was used as a marker at night by the German Bombers.
Jim was given the job of inspecting the wreck with his salvage boat Starling.
However he had to wait until the fires had burned out and the hull cooled before he could start his works.
He found she was down by the stern and had broken her back the combined result of
the German mine and the massive explosion.
After the inspection the authorities had written her off and the ship was cut into 2 parts with the tanker section and the fore part being towed off to be repaired at Shouth Shields.
In July 1940 she was again towed to the Hughs Bolckow ship breaking company Ltd at Blyth for conversion into a blockship.
Despite difficulties in obtaining cement and timber supplies the work of loading the ship with 3000 tons of heavy rubble sand and cement was completed and sh was towed to Scapa flow.
Even that long voyage was not without incident because 2 of the towing hawsers snapped leading to the unhappy crew being replaced by naval personal.
She arrived at scapa flow on Christmas day 1940 where she was designated as a spare block ship.
However she was used for fire fighting practice by the royal navy at Lyness for 4 years before eventually being sunk between Hoy and Graemsay in the burra sound on the middle reef in May 1944.
Finding the Inverlane Off seaburn is not very difficult.
By leaving Roker Pier at low water you turn North in line for Souter point until you almost reach the Whitburn steel reef.
Which dries out some 400 mtrs off shore.
then transit line up the Fullwell Mill with the gable end of the Seaburn Hotel.
The ships wreckage covers a wide area and the seabed to the south is all sand
so dragging a light grapnel will soon locate the wreckage.
The giant engine block stands upright and the Kelp on top is visible from the surface during a spring tide.
However the engine block now lies on it's side.
In 1999 the wreckage are was huge but apart from around the engine block most of the ships remains are level with the sea bed.
boat fishing drifting is recommended due to the tangle of steel .
Wrasse cod and coley can be seen on a regular basis
the depth at low water is some 8 to 10 mtrs and in the summer huge shoals of mackerel
gather around the site.
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The CRATER WRECK.
Depth 54 mtrs
N 54.58.917 W 001.10.900
6 /12 miles East Of Souter Lighthouse.
The Crater was a steel 132 tons steam fishing trawler Registered in Fleetwood .
30.25 long 6.12 beam and a draught of 3.14
She was built My Mackie Thompson in Glasgow in 1896 and owned at the time of loss by
Ashworth & Taylor.
Her single steel prop was powered by a three cylinder triple expansion steam engine that developed 45 hp using a single boiler.
Her machinery was built by Muir & Houston Ltd in Glasgow.
She had a yawl rig one deck a 5.2 mtr quarterdeck and a 5.8mtr forecastle.
The Crater foundered and was lost on 2nd Feb 1926 after developing a serious leak when it struck a submerged undefined object.
The wreck site although not positively confirmed is believed to be that of the trawler.
It lies on a hard seabed of dirty sand and shale just inside the spoil grounds and stands 5.5 mtrs high above the seabed.
It is completely intact except for a small amount of damage to the quarterdeck which have collapsed
No fish have been reported being seen or caught at this wreck.
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THE GATESHEAD WRECK.
Gateshead ex Wilhelmima Polder ex Gouwzee.
Depth 50 mtrs
N54.56.235 W001.09.845
8 miles E of Roker Lighthouse.
The Gateshead was a steel 730 ton British steamship Registered in Newcastle Upon Tyne .
With a length of 55,32 mtrs and a beam off 8.58 draught of 3.73 mtrs.
She was built as the Gouwezz By Gebr Bodewes at Lobith in Holland and owned at the time of loss the Tyne Tees Shipping co.ltd.
Her single steel prop was powered by a three cylinder triple expansion steam engine that developed 82 hp using one boiler.
Her machinery was built by Verschure & co in 1932.
The Gateshead was on voyage from Newcastle upon Thne to Amsterdam with a general cargo and a cargo of Coal when she foundered and was lost following a collision 7 miles east of Sunderland.
The wreck site believed to be that of the Gateshead lies North west to south East on a seabed of fine sand . mud and broken black shells.
The general depth is 50 mtrs.
The Wreck is said to be very substantial and intect standing upright some 7 mtrs high with most of her decking and deck machinery and hand rails still attached.
There is however considerable damage to the bow section.
Lots of dead mans fingers adorn the ship and a large shoal of Cod have been seen near to the stern section .
This wreck site should make an excellent boating venue when conditions are right As fish will be around the wreck at most times of the year.
Tidal streams are fairly strong and viability is usually poor but vastly improves in the summer months.
A good look out is required when fishing this site as it is in or very close to the main shipping lane.
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The GRIT WRECK.
Depth 55 mtrs
N54.57.939 W 001. 10. 482
6 1/2 miles E of Souter Point.
The Grit was a steel 501 ton British motor vessel registered in London .
size 48.89 mtrs 8.1 mtr beam and a draught of 2.84 mtrs.
She was built in 1934 bt G.Brown & Co at Greenock and owned by F.T.Everard & sons Ltd
Her single bronze prop was powered by a 5 cylinder oil / diesal engine 2S CSA that developed 72 hp. Her aft positioned machinery was built by The Newbury Diesal Company
she had a cruiser stern one dack and 3 watertight compartments and a superstructure consisting of a 31.1 mtr quarter deck and a 5.8 mtr forecastle.
On May 24th 1943 The Grit was on passage from Kings Lynn for the Tyne when she foundered 6 1/23 miles south if Whitburn following a collision.
The wreck lies just outside the spoil grounds in a 3 1/2 mtr scour and is East to West direction on a seabed of dirty mud and silt.
The wreck including the superstructure at the Western end is fully intact and standing 6 1/2 meters above the seabed.
large numbers of fish Cod in particular have taken up residence in the wreck and some large lobsters have also been observed.
Tidal streams are quite strong at times.
Best boat fishing is on the neap tides.
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