The Meldon was a steel steamship built by R Stephen & Co of Newcastle, and owned by the Dawson Steamship Company. She sank on 3rd March 1917 when she struck a mine laid by the German submarine U-78. The Meldonsailed northward from Penarth in South Wales with a cargo of coal, but struck one of the many mines laid off the Garvellachs. After striking the mine, the Meldon ran to Loch Buie to put ashore. It is unclear exactly what occurred when she went ashore the crew were safely put ashore but the wreck somehow ended up with her stern closest to the shoreline.
Site Name: Meldon - Sound of Mull
Dive Site Info
The wreck of the Meldon lies off the north west shore of Loch Buie, approximately a quarter of a mile north east of Rubha Dubh. The tip of the rudder post is visible from the surface at low tide; care should be taken if it is not visible as it will be only a few feet below the surface. Her bow lies in 20 metres facing south east, rising up to the stern at 4 metres where the cast propellor and rudder are still visible. Her engine and boiler are still recognisible, although the structure becomes more broken closer towards the bow, which is very broken. The bow section rises dramatically 5 or 6 metres out of the seabed.
Visbility is often excellent on this site. Divers can expect to see fish including pollack, plaice, cuckoo wrasse, and conger eel, as well as shrimps, edible crabs, sea urchins, and starfish including common starfish and common sunstars.
When to dive
There is no tide in Loch Buie and the wreck of the Meldon is sheltered from prevailing winds by virtue of its position on the north west shore. However, it may be subject to swell in heavy weather as it sweeps round the point of Rubha Dubh.
Images
The Meldon's anchor is clearly visible on the seabed
The Meldon is host to a lot of life, including this edible crab
The wreckage of the Meldon in September 2014
A diver on the Meldon
The prop shaft of the Meldon
A dive swims up to the huge prop of the Meldon