On 22 January 1956, the Herriesburn was en route to Copenhagen in Denmark from England with a cargo of 3,000 tons of coal when a fire broke out in the cargo on board in the afternoon. The fire could not be extinguished and the crew abandoned the burning ship, which drifted eastwards towards the Swedish coast in the prevailing wind. The ship eventually sank and lay on the bottom with the keel up.

The wreck lies at a depth of 28 m with the keel straight up. In the stern you can see the propeller and if you go further towards the bottom on either side and swim forward you will come to an opening in the hull where you can swim through to the other side. On the port side you can also continue the penetration forward for a good distance.