Isle of Skye · United Kingdom · Wreck
Chadwick
An upturned 1892 coal ship beneath the cliffs just north of Neist Point
The Chadwick is a cargo ship wrecked in thick fog in July 1892, lying upside down beneath the cliffs at the north end of Oisgill Bay, just north of Neist Point. Divers come for her encrusted propeller and scenic stern when the wind and sea allow.
Also known as SS Chadwick.
Where it is and how deep
57.4471° N, 6.7808° WApproximate position — the dashed circle shows where the site lies; your operator's briefing has the mooring.
The dive
The wreck lies inverted in 15–25 m of water. The hull has collapsed in on itself and the bow is twisted and broken up, but the stern, with its encrusted propeller blades, remains scenic. The top of the wreck can be almost still while a fair bit of tide makes itself felt towards the stern, enough to make photography a challenge. Visibility is normally at least 15 m, though heavy rain can cut it.
The wreck
- Vessel
- Chadwick
- Type
- Cargo ship
- Sunk
- 1892
- Cause
- Ran aground in thick fog with a cargo of coal
- Lies
- Inverted in 15–25 m beneath the cliffs at the north end of Oisgill Bay
The Chadwick was on her way from Glasgow to St Petersburg with a cargo of coal when she ran aground in thick fog in July 1892. Her 19 crew were rescued by a passing mail steamer, and after four days on the rocks the sea got the better of her. She went down beneath the cliffs at the north end of Oisgill Bay, just north of Neist Point, one of the ships the Skye fog claimed on this coast, and now lies upside down on the seabed.
Marine life and season
The sources we used don't single out particular species here.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good |
Season follows Isle of Skye: Diving runs all year when the weather allows, and winter calm spells can bring excellent visibility.
Know before you go
- The site is exposed to south and north-west winds, and the weather and sea have to be just right to dive it safely.
- Tide picks up towards the stern even when the top of the wreck is still; the wreck is dived at slack water.
Sources
- Skye Diver: Exploring the Majestic Underwater Realms of Scotland's Isle of Mist — Divernet
- OpenStreetMap — OpenStreetMap
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