ALABAMA - Cornwall & Devon

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.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
49.752304, -1.695322
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
56m

Wreck History - ALABAMA

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.

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 ALABAMA

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 ALABAMA

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