The Vale of Leven lies about 10 miles South of Worthing and is well worth visiting. Built in 1907 for Hall, Russell & Co. of Aberdeen. Yard No 442 223GRT ~ Draft 11ft 3″ x Length 115ft 3″ x Beam 22ft 6″ ~ 3 Cylinder engine

March 1915 Hired / Requisitioned by the Admiralty & converted to a Minesweeper / Escort Duties. She was armed with a 6 pounder gun deck gun ~ Admiralty Ship No 1188

On 10th July 1917 at 00:34 the Vale of Leven was in collision and sunk by the Military Transport troopship SS Londonderry. 4 crew were lost in the sinking & 8 recovered from the sea by HMS Beaver.

Lying on her  starboard side, the exposed port side has rusted through leaving large uniform holes, allowing divers to see inside the holds. Fish life is abundant with some very large bass hiding in the holds of the wreck. Also present are bib, poor cod, whiting, Congers, lobsters, spider crabs, edible crabs, common mussels & scallops. The wreck is covered in Dead Mans Fingers. Her propellor is clearly visible with one of the blades missing and her rudder is still in place.

Up on the bow you can enter the wreck with care, though she is slowly sinking in to the sand. In good visibility and with the sun shining, some divers have likened entering her to being inside a cathedral with the sun shining through the holes on the port side. Maximum depths are 24-28 metres.