View Full Version : Breda Wreck by Oban
Had a dive on the Breda on 4th June. This wreck has provided a great deal of pleasure for many divers for the last 40 years or so. Unfortunately it has also been a place of tragedy with several divers losing their lives inside the wreck. It was very sobering to see that the wreck has now deteriorated quite considerably. Decks are severely buckled, bulkheads are being flattened and the superstructure is collapsing. There is a great deal of twisted and jagged metal. I would advise extreme caution diving on the Breda in future. Consider very carefully before venturing far under the decks inside the Holds. Further I would be very wary about taking inexperienced divers on to the Breda. Having said that, if you restrict diving to exploring the superstructure you can still have an enjoyable dive. Safe Diving
Hi Keith.
Sorry to hear that. Has it deteriorated over the past year or two (haven't dived it since 2004)? If so, what do you think is the cause? The Breda has long been a favourite of mine. It was my first wreck. And i always loved the "bloody big ship sitting upright on the seabed" quality it has.
Can you still swim through all the holds?
Agree with the sentiments Gord,
Sad but inevitable the Breda's going that way.
Likewise I recall it was one of my first Wreck dives in the ealy 1980's, never forget spotting( since removed by the navy) a great rack of bomb like things complete with fins, it got the heartrate going;).
Its a few years since i've dived it but previously always thought some of the overhangs were a bit
a bit iffy:o Seem to recall the Navy had to cut open access to some of the wreck to recover some divers, bad news.:eek: don't know how much difference that made?
Dived the "Hispania" recently ,again with the passage of time its now taking on a list after being pounded with the tides.
Tony
Yeah - i know what you mean about the Hispania. The list is really noticeable now. It looks like it could fall over! When you do the swimthroughs on the super-structure - you know, the gangway bits at the side - there's a strange feeling of going in at a diagonal, like you're swimming through a diamond shaped space rather than a square. I suppose it'll just ease down gently onto its side over the next 10 years or so.
Next time we're up in the Oban / Tobe I'll make sure to get back onto the Breda. It really is a site close to my heart. I had a dive there in 2002 with a guy from our club known as the "Weasel", who has unfortunately retired now (and we really miss him). Went in one end, and came out the other 35 mins later. Saw some green patches along the way, but the rest of the time was Wilson's fins. He was a great diver and I trusted him, so the experience was excellent, but we went in some narrow wee places where I would not care to return.
Even a couple of years ago there were still some interesting accessible places - you know that bit where the money and the maps of india are?
And even if you just rumage through the silt in the big holds (if you don't mind rolling your sleeves up so to speak), there's a load of interesting bits and bobs: bottles, medicine bottles, boots, radio equipment, weird war-vintage eletricals, etc. But my favourite bit of the Breda is the bow: you and your buddy can have true "titanic moment" if you're that way inclined. I like to swim away from the bow for maybe 10-20 fin strokes, until the ship is lost in the viz, and then turn round and swim back towards it. The moment when the massive bows emerge from the gloom is pure magic. Gets me with a shiver down the spine every time!
it's a national treasure!
Yeah - i know what you mean about the Hispania. The list is really noticeable now. It looks like it could fall over! When you do the swimthroughs on the super-structure - you know, the gangway bits at the side - there's a strange feeling of going in at a diagonal, like you're swimming through a diamond shaped space rather than a square. I suppose it'll just ease down gently onto its side over the next 10 years or so.
Next time we're up in the Oban / Tobe I'll make sure to get back onto the Breda. It really is a site close to my heart. I had a dive there in 2002 with a guy from our club known as the "Weasel", who has unfortunately retired now (and we really miss him). Went in one end, and came out the other 35 mins later. Saw some green patches along the way, but the rest of the time was Wilson's fins. He was a great diver and I trusted him, so the experience was excellent, but we went in some narrow wee places where I would not care to return.
Even a couple of years ago there were still some interesting accessible places - you know that bit where the money and the maps of india are?
And even if you just rumage through the silt in the big holds (if you don't mind rolling your sleeves up so to speak), there's a load of interesting bits and bobs: bottles, medicine bottles, boots, radio equipment, weird war-vintage eletricals, etc. But my favourite bit of the Breda is the bow: you and your buddy can have true "titanic moment" if you're that way inclined. I like to swim away from the bow for maybe 10-20 fin strokes, until the ship is lost in the viz, and then turn round and swim back towards it. The moment when the massive bows emerge from the gloom is pure magic. Gets me with a shiver down the spine every time!
it's a national treasure!
Have u been on the Tequila again, it sends a shiver down your spine.
We need to go back to the breda again. On sunday we did the meldon
on the south of Mull, but its not as good as the breda.
PS His nicknam was "the ferret" because he was in and out the smallest of holes inside wrecks
dont think he would like to be called the weasel.
Yes you can swim through the Holds. However, the bulkheads look severely buckled and some of the decks have partially collapsed. The rungs on the ladder out of one of the Holds have nearly all disappeared. Decks towards the rear of the Breda are badly collapsed. Someone has also dumped large concrete slabs (3ft x 3ft approx) on the decks. I suppose it is all just deterioration with time. I hardly think divers can be causing the breakup of such a solid object, apart from trapped air causing some rusting.
craigdiver
06-07-06, 09:21
Yes, Breda,
Done this wreck last year on a club visit to Oban. Has got to be one of the most memorable dives. I do understand the shiver down the spine moment upon seeing the bow. I was restricted to 20m due to my qualification (and being buddied with the instructor, George) which restricted diving to the deck and just over the side of the ship to see some portholes.
I have it in my to-do list to return there soon!
R u still on this site have not heard from u for a while. what about posting some photos in the photography section of the site?
Lizardland
18-09-06, 10:24
I dived the Breda a few weeks ago which was the first time I'd been back to it in about eight years at least. I really noticed a huge difference, almost like two different wrecks. I think it is probably more to do with time and geography (it's fairly shallow) than with divers.
Cheers,
Stuart
Yes I'm still here. Just had a great weekend at Lochaline Dive Centre,diving from "Brendan". Skipper Bodie is very helpful and excellent at his job. Dived the usual suspects-Hispania,Thesis,Shuna and various scenic cliff faces. Hispania as always, a great dive though there was a bit of a current. At least it kept the silt clear as there was another group of divers on it. My buddy, Iain Kennedy, was like the proverbial "rat up a drain" forcing his way in to every small opening-and he is 6ft tall ! Some good photos of Hispania and Thesis. Shuna a bit dark but some reasonable pics. It will indeed be a sad day when Hispania finally falls over.
Good to here from you again why dont you post some of the pictures on the site, you know what they say a picture says a thousand words.