| Wreckdive in the Harbour of Weymouth
Dive Site: The Countess of Erne
Location: 50°35.11N; 02°25.09W (Portland Harbour)
Description: 830 ton paddle steamer
Length: 80 metres (262 feet)
Depth: 15 metres max (50 feet), 8 metres to deck (24 feet)
Visibility: 1 - 7 metres (3 - 21 feet)
Rating: **
In its prime the Countess of Erne was a paddle steamer, but was used in later life as a coal hulk in Portland harbour. It sank in 1935 after its moorings broke lose. The site is within the shelter of the harbour, parallel to the northeast wall next to the white lighthouse - there is usually a fixed shot marking the stern which is the north end of the wreck. The wreckage lies upright and is still intact, although much of the superstructure has gone. The visibility can be really bad because of the its location inside silty Portland Harbour. There is some fish life however, and a few holes in the wreck to inspect. It lies upright on the sea floor and some of the holds could be entered if the visibility allowed it.
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