AEOLUS (PROBABLY) - Cornwall & Devon

The Aeolus, or what we’re fairly sure is the Aeolus, is a proper slice of Cornish wreck diving. We love a good identification mystery, and while its true identity has been debated, what’s undeniable is the character of the site. Sitting at a shallow 11 meters, it’s a brilliant dive for those newer to wreck exploration or anyone wanting a relaxed second dive. You’ll find the wreck well broken up, but the triple expansion engines and three massive boilers are still very much intact and make for fantastic swim-throughs and photographic opportunities. Sunlight dapples through the shallower parts, illuminating clouds of tommy ruffs and pouting that dart between the metalwork. Look carefully among the plates and you’ll often spot dogfish eggs, like little mermaid’s purses, swaying in the gentle surge. Our favourite tip for this site is to hit it on a slack tide, an hour or so after high water, for the best visibility and easiest navigation around the substantial wreckage. It’s a proper engine room exploration, made even better by the inquisitive pollack that seem to follow you from one section to the next.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
51.381800, -3.145317
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
11m

Wreck History - AEOLUS (PROBABLY)

Year Sunk
1913
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
grounding
Tonnage
2,830 GRT

The SS Aeolus was a 2,830-ton Greek steamship built in 1902. In January 1913, she was on a voyage from Newport, Wales, bound for Piraeus, Greece, with a cargo of Welsh coal. While navigating the notoriously treacherous waters off the coast of Cornwall, she ran afoul of one of the area's most dangerous hazards.

The Aeolus struck the infamous Wolves Rock, a submerged reef that has claimed countless vessels over the centuries. The impact was catastrophic, ripping open the ship's hull. She foundered and sank quickly, her wreckage scattering on the seabed at the base of the rock. Her loss was another grim entry in the long maritime history of the Cornish coast.

Resting in a shallow 11 meters, the remains of the Aeolus are an accessible dive, though the site's exposed location demands calm sea conditions. The wreck is heavily broken and salvaged after more than a century underwater, but divers can still easily identify her three large boilers and parts of the triple-expansion steam engine. The wreckage is now part of the reef, covered in kelp and teeming with the vibrant marine life typical of the area, making for a scenic dive that blends history with nature.

Marine Protected Area: Flat Holm

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 AEOLUS (PROBABLY)

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 AEOLUS (PROBABLY)

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