SS Shuna

The SS Shuna is a 1909-built British steam coaster that sank in the Sound of Mull on 8 May 1913 after taking on water in heavy weather while loaded with coal. The 73-metre wreck stands almost upright on a silty bottom at 25 to 33 metres, with the bow particularly intact and the stern preserving rudder, propeller and engine room. Coal cargo still lies in the open holds. The Shuna is one of the deepest and most atmospheric wrecks in the Sound of Mull and a long-time favourite of Scottish technical divers. The hull is densely encrusted with plumose anemones, dead man's fingers, sponges, hydroids and feather stars. Visibility is typically 8 to 15 metres in summer, and water temperatures sit between 8 and 14 degrees Celsius. Resident species include wolffish, conger eels, pollack, ling, ballan wrasse, cuckoo wrasse, lobsters and edible crabs. Currents are moderate. The site is dived from Lochaline or Tobermory charter boats around slack water and is suitable for advanced or technical divers in drysuits.