Clyde Shipwrecks

The maritime history of the River Clyde is renowned throughout the world, but hidden beneath its surface is another part of its fascinating past only just being discovered. Clyde Shipwrecks records the loss of over three hundred and fifty vessels and describes the location and condition of many of the wrecks today.


While written primarily for the sub-aqua diver, the book will also be of interest to sea anglers, steamer enthusiasts, shipping historians and anyone interested in the history of the River Clyde itself. The many stories of courage and rescue by lifeboatmen, coastguards and local inhabitants provide a vivid insight into seafaring life in the region over the last two hundred years.


The book is packed full with old photographs of ships both afloat and ashore, as well as details of where and how to dive many of the wrecks in the area. Charts detailing the location and diving conditions are provided for many of the wrecks, and this information is supported by detailed GPS positions. 


The book covers the area from Greenock and its adjacent sea lochs in the north, south to the Mull of Galloway and includes the islands of Bute, Arran, Cumbrae and the granite fortress of Ailsa Craig. The book is the product of thousands of hours of research both in libraries, archives and at sea to provide a factual and detailed account of shipwrecks along the west coast of Scotland, and has no doubt helped to raise the profile of this area as one of the more popular wreck diving destinations in the United Kingdom.


The authors both live on the shores of the Clyde and have many years of experience diving in the area. Prior to, and during research and preparation of this book they have searched for, located and subsequently dived on many of its wrecks. The result is a unique catalogue of Clyde shipping history and its tragic but intriguing legacy of shipwrecks.