ADOLF VINNEN - Cornwall & Devon

Now, the Adolf Vinnen is a bit of a curious one, a proper historical oddity for us wreck hounds. She was a German auxiliary schooner, on her maiden voyage no less, heading for Barry to load up on coal back in 1923. A strong southerly wind pushed her ashore, right off Bass Point. What we love about this wreck, despite her being pretty broken up and shallow, is the story. It’s not about penetration or huge intact structures; it’s about piecing together history from the scattered remains. You’re looking at depths of just a meter, sometimes a bit more, sometimes less, depending on the tide and swell. This isn't a dive where you'll be dropping down for half an hour; think snorkel or a very shallow shore dive on a calm day. We've spent hours just drifting over the bits and pieces, imagining her as she was. The bow section is the most substantial part, though "substantial" is a generous term here. You’ll see twisted metal, massive timbers, and the outline of her once impressive size. It's a great spot for photographers, especially with a wide-angle lens, capturing the way the sunlight plays through the shallows. Our favourite moments here are when the light is just right, illuminating the metalwork and the kelp that now drapes over everything. Expect to see plenty of blennies darting around, crabs tucked into crevices, and juvenile fish seeking shelter in the wreckage. It’s surprisingly vibrant for such a shallow, exposed site. This is a site for the curious, for those who appreciate the history as much as the marine life, and who don't mind getting shallow to explore.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
49.965607, -5.184636
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
1m

Wreck History - ADOLF VINNEN

Year Sunk
1923
Vessel Type
barquentine
Cause
grounding

The story of the Adolf Vinnen is a classic tale of maritime misfortune. She was a magnificent five-masted barquentine, a modern sailing vessel with an auxiliary engine, built by Krupp's of Germany. In February 1923, she set off on her maiden voyage from Brunsbüttel, bound for Barry, Wales, to take on a cargo of coal. Unfortunately, she would never reach her destination. Caught in a strong south-southwesterly gale, the brand-new ship was driven ashore just 70 yards off Bass Point on the Lizard peninsula in Cornwall.

The wrecking was a dramatic event, witnessed by locals who mounted a rescue. Despite the ferocious seas, all crew members were brought to safety, a remarkable feat given the conditions. The ship, however, was doomed. The power of the waves quickly broke her back, and the Adolf Vinnen was declared a total loss, a career of just a few days ending tragically on the Cornish coast.

Today, lying at a depth of just one meter, the remains of the Adolf Vinnen are scattered and heavily salvaged. While not a traditional scuba dive, the site is accessible from the shore and can be explored by snorkelers or on a very calm day. It serves as a stark reminder of the power of the sea and the dramatic end to what should have been the start of a long career for this impressive vessel.

Marine Protected Area: Lizard Point

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 ADOLF VINNEN

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 ADOLF VINNEN

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