AALESUND (POSSIBLY) - Cornwall & Devon

The *Aalesund* is a proper historical wreck, and we reckon it’s one of the best deeper dives in this part of Cornwall. Dropping down onto her at 37 metres, you hit an iron hull that’s surprisingly intact for a ship sunk in 1918. We love the way the light filters through the superstructure, creating these moody shadows around the single boiler, which stands proud and really gives you a sense of her scale. Exploration is the name of the game here. You can pick your way along her 44.5-metre length, peering into cargo holds now colonised by thick carpets of plumose anemones – pure white against the dark iron. Our favourite detail is the triple-expansion engine, a marvel of turn-of-the-century engineering, now home to inquisitive conger eels. We’ve had some fantastic encounters with schools of pollack swirling around the bow, and occasionally a curious grey seal will pop by for a look. This is a dive for experienced wreck enthusiasts, offering a respectful peek into maritime history and a chance to truly immerse yourself in a thriving artificial reef.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.396984, -1.394067
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
37m

Wreck History - AALESUND (POSSIBLY)

Year Sunk
1918
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
torpedo

The iron-hulled steamship Aalesund was built in 1890 in Stavanger, Norway, and served as a merchant vessel for the Norwegian company Dampsk. Akties. Its career came to a violent end during the height of World War I. On January 23, 1918, while sailing off the coast of Cornwall, the neutral Norwegian vessel was attacked and sunk, almost certainly by a torpedo from a German U-boat. This was a common fate for neutral shipping in the unrestricted submarine warfare campaign of the time.

Resting at a depth of 37 meters, the Aalesund is now a classic UK wreck dive for advanced and technical divers. The ship is well-preserved for its age, with key features like its single boiler and triple-expansion engine still identifiable. Exploring the iron hull, divers can witness over a century of colonization by marine life, including colorful anemones and schools of fish that have made the historic vessel their home. The depth and conditions require proper training and equipment, but the reward is a fascinating dive into maritime history.

Marine Protected Area: Wight-Barfleur Reef

Best Time to Dive in Cornwall & Devon

The warmest water temperatures in Cornwall & Devon occur in January, averaging 9.6°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 9.6°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 9.6°C (air: 7.3°C)
  • February: 9.6°C (air: 8.4°C)
  • March: 9.6°C (air: 8.6°C)
  • April: 9.6°C (air: 10.1°C)
  • May: 9.6°C (air: 12.6°C)
  • June: 9.6°C (air: 15.2°C)
  • July: 9.6°C (air: 16.6°C)
  • August: 9.6°C (air: 17.1°C)
  • September: 9.6°C (air: 15.9°C)
  • October: 9.6°C (air: 13.5°C)
  • November: 9.6°C (air: 10.7°C)
  • December: 9.6°C (air: 8.7°C)

Nearby Dive Sites in Cornwall & Devon

Nearest Dive Centres to AALESUND (POSSIBLY)

Marine Life in Cornwall & Devon

Home to 192 recorded species including 93 reef fish, 18 sharks & rays, 13 whales & dolphins, 11 crabs & lobsters, 11 other, 10 seagrass & algae.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for AALESUND (POSSIBLY)

Based on average water temperature of 9.6°C.

  • Drysuit - water at 10°C demands a drysuit with thermal undergarments
  • Hood & Gloves (7mm+) - critical to prevent heat loss
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the typical diving depths around Ålesund, especially for wreck dives like the Konsul Carl Fisser?
For the specific wreck known as AALESUND (POSSIBLY) located in Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, the typical diving depth is 37 meters. Please note that this information pertains to this particular wreck site and not to the general diving depths around Ålesund, Norway, or the Konsul Carl Fisser wreck, for which data is not provided here.
What kind of marine life, wrecks, and unique underwater features can divers expect to see when diving in Ålesund and the surrounding fjords?
When diving the AALESUND (POSSIBLY) wreck in Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, divers can expect to explore an iron steam ship vessel, measuring 44.5m x 7.5m, which sank on January 23, 1918. This non-dangerous wreck features a single boiler and a triple expansion engine. Information regarding specific marine life or other unique underwater features for this site, or for Ålesund, Norway, is not available in the provided data.
How challenging is scuba diving in Ålesund, and are there suitable dive sites for beginner divers or is it mostly for experienced cold-water divers?
Diving the AALESUND (POSSIBLY) wreck in Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, is classified as an intermediate difficulty dive. This particular site is suitable for divers with some experience. Information regarding beginner-friendly sites or specific requirements for cold-water diving in Ålesund, Norway, is not provided in this context.
What is the best time of year to go scuba diving in Ålesund for optimal conditions, water temperature, and visibility?
Unfortunately, the provided data for the AALESUND (POSSIBLY) wreck in Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, does not include details on the best time of year for optimal conditions, water temperature, or visibility. For general information on when to dive, you might find resources on DivePlnr's "When to Dive" page helpful, but specific seasonal details for this site are not available here.
What scuba diving certifications are typically required or highly recommended for diving in Ålesund, particularly given the cold water and potential for drysuit use?
While the AALESUND (POSSIBLY) wreck in Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, is an intermediate dive, specific certification requirements or recommendations for cold water and drysuit use are not detailed in the provided data. Divers should always ensure they have appropriate training and experience for the conditions of any dive site.
What are the typical water temperatures, currents, and visibility like for diving in the Ålesund area, and how do they vary by season?
The provided data for the AALESUND (POSSIBLY) wreck in Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, does not include details on typical water temperatures, currents, or visibility, nor how these conditions might vary by season. Divers planning to visit this site should consult local dive operators for the most current environmental information.