ALGERIAN - Cornwall & Devon

The Algerian, sitting upright at 21 metres, is one of those wrecks we keep coming back to off the Lizard. She's a big old steamship, 110 metres long, which means there's plenty to explore even when the visibility isn't playing ball. We love finning along her deck, past the two massive boilers that now house conger eels, their heads peeking out from the dark. You can trace the lines of her triple-expansion engine, imagining her journey from Cowes for Avonmouth, before she went down in 1916. The deck is a landscape of plumose anemones, especially in autumn, creating this soft, feathery carpet. Look closer, and you’ll spot velvet swimming crabs scuttling amongst the plates and the occasional dogfish tucked into a shadowy corner. Our favourite dive here is often an early morning one, catching the light just right as it filters through the structure. It’s a site that rewards multiple visits; each dive you pick out something new, another detail of her past emerging from the silt. She’s perfect for divers who appreciate history and enjoy the quiet exploration of a substantial wreck.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.767800, -1.339252
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
21m

Wreck History - ALGERIAN

Year Sunk
1916
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
torpedo
Tonnage
3,837 GRT

The SS Algerian had a long and storied career that began in 1876 when she was launched as the Fintsire. Built by the Sunderland Steamboat Co., this British steamship sailed for 40 years, eventually coming under the ownership of the famous Ellerman Lines. By the time of the First World War, she was an aging but still capable vessel, contributing to the vital merchant shipping that supplied the Allied war effort.

On January 12th, 1916, her long service was cut short. While steaming through the English Channel, she was spotted by the German U-boat U-34. The submarine fired a torpedo that found its mark, and the old steamer quickly succumbed to the damage, sinking to the seabed.

Lying at a depth of just 21 metres, the SS Algerian is now a fantastic and highly accessible wreck dive. Her more exposed position means she has broken up considerably over the last century, but this has created a fascinating debris field to explore. Divers can easily identify her large boilers and the remains of her triple-expansion engine. The scattered plates and ribs of the hull are now a thriving artificial reef, providing shelter for conger eels, lobsters, and dense shoals of bib.

Marine Protected Area: Solent and Southampton Water

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 ALGERIAN

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 ALGERIAN

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