SHORE DIVING SITE PRO FORMA

Motor Torpedo Boats/ Motor Gun Boats & Barge,

Brackley Point, Loch Striven

Type of Dive: Shore dive on 3 small wrecks. The deepest MTB is a boat dive to max 42m

Experience suggested: Sports divers with good buoyancy control. Master diver on the deep MTB.

Travel directions: From Dunoon follow the A815 south to Toward and continue onto the east side of Loch Striven on B class road to Brackley Point. Turn off down a track to the waters edge.

Parking directions: Park at waters edge on the point

From Little Chef, Milton: 40miles (using Gourock-Dunoon Ferry)

OS Map & Grid Ref: OS 63; 090739

Lat & Long: 55:55:224N; 005:03:491W (Barge)

1:200 000 Map:

http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?client=public&X=210000.712880662&Y=680000.444196719&width=700&height=400&gride=229618.712880662&gridn=682336.444196719&srec=0&coordsys=gb&db=freegaz&addr1=&addr2=&addr3=&pc=&advanced=&local=&localinfosel=&kw=&inmap=&table=&ovtype=&keepicon=true&zm=0&scale=200000&down.x=287&down.y=4

1:25 000 Map

http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?client=public&X=208000&Y=675000&width=700&height=400&gride=229618.712880662&gridn=682336.444196719&srec=0&coordsys=gb&db=freegaz&addr1=&addr2=&addr3=&pc=&advanced=&local=&localinfosel=&kw=&inmap=&table=&ovtype=&keepicon=true&zm=0&scale=25000&down.x=289&down.y=2

Divesite drawing: See “Clyde Shipwrecks” by Moir & Crawford

BOAT DIVING

There is a more intact MTB/MGB in 38 to 44m north of the point but only diveable by boat. The exact identity of this vessel is still not known. This lies with bow in max 44m pointing SW with the stern in shallower water lying NE. It has a largely intact wooden hull with diagonal planking. It is only about 25m long. It did have a row of brass portholes and a number of other brass fittings. MV Flying Eagle or MV Clutha will dive this MTB. The Divernet reference is a good read for this wreck.

SHORE DIVING:

There are three wrecks within a 200m radius of each other. Two wrecks share the same entry/exit from the point. I have variously read these wrecks described as landing craft, minesweeper or motor gun or torpedo boats. Moir & Crawford describe them as MTB/MGBs. Only the barge is intact, the other two MTB/MGBs are wreckage only. They may have been salvaged and/or sunk by gunfire at end of Second World War.

Underwater directions: The sandy/muddy bottom slopes slowly to 3m then drops more steeply to 40+m. The viz is said to be better when dived on an ebb tide.

The first wreck is found by fining north from the point. There is the wreckage of a MTB/MGB in 5 to 14m lying diagonally along the slope.

The second wreck is found by fining southwest of the point. Here is an intact small steel barge in 12m.

The third wreck is found by entering directly opposite Brackley cottage 200m south of the point. Fin straight out and find wreckage of a MTB/MGB in 10 to 20 m.

Site Hazards: Bottom drops to 50+m. Viz can rapidly deteriorate if silt is kicked up.

Nearest Public phone: From OS Map, is 3km north at a jetty north of Finnart Point, or 3km south at Port Lamont.

Mobile Network service: Not checked

Pub & Café: Nearest are in Toward or Dunoon

Other comments Brackley Point is a good site for BBQ/picnic.

These are Nos 148 & 149 Wrecks, Brackleymore, Loch Striven in Gordon Ridley’s Dive West Scotland Volume 1.

Links:

http://www.divernet.com/cgi-bin/articles.pl?id=3941&section=7&action=display

http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/JOHNSTONE_SUBAQUA/lochstriven.htm

http://www.yorkshire-divers.com/forums/uk-dive-sites-accommodation-liveaboards/33105-any-info-diving-loch-striven.html?highlight=loch+striven

http://www.bsactravelclub.co.uk/reports/clyde1.htm

http://www.clyde-diving.co.uk/