ACADIAN - Cornwall & Devon

The Acadian is one of those wrecks that just keeps giving, despite being down for over a century. Lying at 38 metres, she’s a deep dive and often comes with a bit of a current, so we'd only recommend it for experienced divers comfortable in those conditions. But the rewards are worth it. We particularly love dropping onto her bow, where the anchor chain still stretches out, leading you down the length of the ship. Her two boilers are a real focal point, huge cylinders encrusted with dead man's fingers and anemones. You’ll often find conger eels peering out from gaps in the plates. The triple expansion engine is also impressive, a jumble of metal now home to lobsters and crabs. Visibility here can swing dramatically, from 20 metres on a good day to a murky five, so picking your weather window is key. Even in poorer vis, the sheer scale of the Acadian makes for an atmospheric dive, her history palpable as you drift over her decks.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.419582, -5.266634
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
38m

Wreck History - ACADIAN

Year Sunk
1918
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
torpedo

The SS Acadian was a Canadian steamship built in 1908 by the Clyde Engineering Company. At 75.7 meters long, this vessel was operated by the Canada Steamship Lines, powered by a triple-expansion engine, and served as a vital link in transatlantic trade. Her career, however, was cut short by the perils of the First World War, which saw merchant vessels become prime targets in the unforgiving waters of the Atlantic.

On September 16, 1918, just weeks before the end of the war, the Acadian was attacked by a German U-boat off the coast of Cornwall. The submarine's torpedo found its mark, sinking the vessel and tragically claiming the lives of 25 crew members. The sinking was a stark reminder of the immense toll the war took on civilian and merchant shipping.

Now lying at a depth of 38 meters, the SS Acadian is a poignant and popular wreck dive for experienced enthusiasts. The wreck serves as a memorial to those who were lost and offers a fascinating glimpse into the past. Divers can explore the ship's two boilers and the remains of its superstructure, which have become an artificial reef, colonized by a variety of marine life typical of the English Channel.

Marine Protected Area: Kelsey Head

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 ACADIAN

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 ACADIAN

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