ALABAMA
Why dive here
With 176+ marine species recorded in the area - including blue sharks, dolphins, dwarf minke whales, humpback whales and ocean sunfish (mola mola) - ALABAMA offers some of Cornwall & Devon's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 10-18°C, warmest July, August, September.
The Alabama. Now this is a proper deep wreck, a serious dive for those with the training and the nerve. It lies at 56 metres, which puts it firmly in the technical bracket, but for experienced trimix divers, it’s an absolute stunner. We love the history here; sunk in 1864 after a duel with the USS Kearsarge, it’s a tangible piece of maritime history right there on the seabed. Dropping down onto the Alabama, you’ll find a huge wooden auxiliary sailing vessel, a barquentine, impressively intact considering its age and depth. The sheer scale of it at 78 by 10 metres is striking. We’ve seen conger eels that look like tree trunks making their homes in the deeper sections of the hull, and the deck timbers are often coated in jewel anemones, glowing under the torchlight. You can spend a whole dive exploring the structure, imagining the battle that sent her down. It’s a dark, atmospheric dive, often with decent visibility, but you’ll want to pick your day carefully for minimal current. This is a dive for those who appreciate history and enjoy the challenge of deep wreck penetration, not for the faint of heart.
Typical ALABAMA Dive Profile
Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.
Safety Notes
Maximum depth 56m exceeds recreational limits (40m). Technical diving certification and equipment required.
Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.
Always perform a 3-minute safety stop at 5m before surfacing.
ALABAMA Wreck History
Year Sunk
1864
Vessel Type
warship
Cause
unknown
This is not just any wreck; this is the legendary CSS Alabama, one of the most famous warships of the American Civil War. A commerce raider for the Confederacy, the Alabama spent two years terrorizing Union shipping across the globe, capturing or sinking 65 vessels without ever visiting a Confederate port. Commanded by the charismatic Raphael Semmes, its exploits became the stuff of legend.
The Alabama's reign ended on June 19, 1864, in a spectacular naval duel off the coast of Cherbourg, France. After being trapped in port for repairs, Captain Semmes boldly sailed out to challenge the waiting Union sloop, the USS Kearsarge. In a battle that lasted just over an hour, the Alabama was outgunned and sunk. The wreck was discovered in 1984 and is now a protected historic site.
Lying at 56 meters, the remains of the three-masted wooden steam-sloop are reserved for experienced technical divers. The site is an archaeological treasure, and while much of the wooden hull has deteriorated, divers can still identify key features like cannons, the ship's wheel, and other artifacts that whisper tales of its storied past and dramatic final battle.
Reviews for ALABAMA
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for ALABAMA
ALABAMA Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for ALABAMA, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (50.44, -2.73) (3km away)
October Averages
Sea Temperature
17°C
62°F · Range: 15.1–17.5°C
Air Temperature
13°C
56°F
Wind Speed
8.14 m/s
15.8 knots
Atmospheric Pressure
1011 hPa
Based on 4 years of monitoring data · Data sources: Open-Meteo marine data
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