Isle of Skye · United Kingdom · Wreck
HMS Port Napier
A 153 m minelayer on its side, its port side just visible at low tide
Photo: Jo and Steve Turner · CC BY-SA 2.0
HMS Port Napier is a Second World War minelayer lying on the south side of Loch Alsh, between Kyle of Lochalsh and Skye. The 153 m hull rests on its side so shallow that the port side shows at low tide, a short distance from Kyle of Lochalsh inside a Special Area of Conservation.
Also known as Port Napier.
Where it is and how deep
57.2659° N, 5.6875° WPublished position for this site.
The dive
The minelayer rests on its side in only 17 m, and at low tide its port side is just visible on the surface. The hull is best toured from outside: it gets very silty when a few divers descend on the wreck and can be dangerous if penetrated, while the whole length of the ship is impressive viewed from a distance.
The wreck
- Vessel
- HMS Port Napier
- Type
- Auxiliary minelayer
- Length
- 153 m (502 ft)
- Built
- 1940
- Sunk
- 1940
- Cause
- Destroyed by an explosion after an engine room fire
- Lies
- On its side in 17 m on the south side of Loch Alsh
HMS Port Napier was designed and laid down as a civilian cargo ship but completed in 1940 as an auxiliary minelayer for the Royal Navy. In November 1940 an engine room fire caused an explosion that destroyed her, and her hull remains on the south side of Loch Alsh, the water between Kyle of Lochalsh and Skye that is now a Special Area of Conservation.
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
- Silt rises quickly when several divers descend on the wreck.
- The hull is dangerous to penetrate; the wreck is meant to be seen from outside.
Dive videos
Diving Wreck of HMS Port Napier, Kyle of Lochalsh · Highland Divers on YouTube
Sources
- Skye Diver: Exploring the Majestic Underwater Realms of Scotland's Isle of Mist — Divernet
- HMS Port Napier — Wikipedia
- Dive Charter | The Spirit of Adventure — The Spirit of Adventure
Photo credits
- Two weed-covered rows of rusted hull plating rise from calm grey water, with low hills and a village across the loch by Jo and Steve Turner, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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