Robin Hood's Bay has seen many wrecked, sunk
or stranded vessels over the years. The rugged East Coast
is often shrouded in thick fog or raked by sudden winter squalls.
Iron stone in the cliffs was believed to affect ship compasses,
attracting them onto the rocks. During the war years the deep
water off Peak made a hunting ground for German submarines
and aircraft as the Allied convoys hugged the coast for protection.
In turn Motor Launches and Destroyers protecting the
ships sought out the enemy.
Although most of the wrecked
vessels were salvaged or pounded to pieces by the sea, there
is still quite a lot of material to be seen on the beach.
After a storm old waterlogged timbers from ships often wash
up, and copper nails can be found in rock pools. After a few
days of calm summer weather the water can become quite clear
and some good snorkelling and diving can be enjoyed over several
shallow wreck sites.
Boiler and engine off North
Cheek
Ness boiler can be seen
on a low tide
A small amount of wreckage
still lies in the murky water
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