Name of Wreck: Sir Charles Napier

Diving Grade required:  Experienced Trainee Diver due to location & currents

History of Wreck:

• The Sir Charles Napier was a full-rigged, 3 masted, sailing ship, of 638 tons.
• Built in 1841 and wrecked on the Kish Bank in 1857.
• Her cargo was cast iron goods when she ran aground. The quantity of iron was blamed on the inaccuracy of the compass readings which put her on the Kish Bank.

• Apparently some large pieces of machinery (cargo) are visible, though little else of the vessel remains to be seen
• Shifting sands cover and uncover new finds.

Diving the Wreck:

• The wreck lies on the Kish Bank South of the Bolivar.
• Co-ordinates (TBC).
• Best dived 1.5hr before high water, 1hr before low water Dublin Port.
• The maximum depth of the seabed around this wreck is about 8 to 10 metres but may vary due to the shifting sands.
• Visibility generally good (5 meters plus)
• Suitable for trainee divers but be aware that if you get the tides wrong you may be swept away from the wreck so an SMB is essential
• Fish, lobsters, congers etc. and some artefacts lying around. As the sands shift regularly there is always something new to see and find.

Transit time to dive site:

• Approx. 25 minutes from Dun Laoghaire to site

Precautions:

• Current can be strong if the tides are missed so either reel off from the shot line. Deploy an SMB if the shot is missed on ascent.

    WATCH AIR & DECO:

Normal NDL’s & stops should apply for this dive.

Map for general reference only (Ref. Dublin University SAC)