HMS Argyll

HMS Argyll lies in the cold waters off the Angus coast, a Devonshire-class armoured cruiser built in the early 1900s. She was launched in 1904 and served in the Channel and Atlantic Fleets before escorting the royal yacht to India. In 1915 she ran aground near Dundee during a storm and was wrecked. The crew escaped without injury, and later salvage teams removed valuable equipment before demolishing the hull. The wreck remains a popular dive site, lying in about 24 metres of water. Her hull shows the scars of the grounding, while her propellers were recovered in 1970. The site preserves parts of the ship’s armour belt, gun turrets and boilers, offering a glimpse of early 20th-century naval engineering. Divers can still see the six-inch guns mounted in their casemates and the thick belt of armour plating along the waterline. Visitors to the site find a quiet stretch of coastline near the Bell Rock lighthouse. The wreck lies close to shore, making it accessible for experienced divers. The seabed around the wreck is scattered with debris, including sections of hull plating and machinery. Above the water, the Angus cliffs rise steeply, adding to the drama of the scene. The wreck is a reminder of the ship’s final voyage and the power of the North Sea.