Elk

Return to map

History

The Elk is a small trawler of 108 ft length that was mined in November 1940 just outside Plymouth Sound. For most of her life she was a fishing vessel. She was built at Beverley near Hull in 1902 and until the 1st World War fished from Grimsby. In 1915 she was requisitioned as a minelayer and saw service off the Dardanelles.

Diving

The Elk was discovered in 1981, she lies upright on the Elk Reef at position 50:18:24N; 04:10:12W at a depth of 32m on a sandy bottom. Being small, she is easily dived and her cabin is a notably intact feature. She has suffered in recent years, and is now in a poor condition however you can easily dive the entire length of the wreck and get an appreciation of what she was like.

The surrounding reef is excellent with a variety of marine life to see, surrounding her are artillery shells and other naval debris. A conger normally resides in the chain locker and large Pollock swim in the holds.

Once you have explored the wreck you can travel due south and onto the reef, which rises to less than twenty metres and gives you a better profile for a longer dive. Please consult with the skipper if you intend to do this, because you could end up near the shipping lane if you drift west.

Return to map