ALGIERS - Cornwall & Devon

The **Algiers** is our kind of wreck. Not just some scattered debris, but a proper ship, laid out on the seabed like she’s still sailing, albeit downwards. We love how her two huge boilers are still standing proud, a real focal point around 30 metres, often shrouded in a hazy cloud of small fish that pulse and shift with the current. This 91-metre steamship, sunk in 1917, is a grand dame of the Cornish deep, perfect for experienced wreck divers comfortable at depth. Dropping down, the first thing you notice is the sheer scale. Her bow points east, the stern to the west, and you can spend a whole dive just traversing her length. Inside, the triple-expansion engine is still identifiable, a skeletal reminder of the power that once drove her. It's a dark, silty dive, so good buoyancy and a strong torch are essential. Keep an eye out for conger eels tucked into the darker recesses, and plenty of pollack circling the higher points. The occasional jewel anemone adds a splash of unexpected colour to the otherwise muted palette of rust and green. It's a challenging dive, but the sense of history here is palpable, a truly rewarding experience for those who make the journey.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.576500, -0.636867
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
37m

Wreck History - ALGIERS

Year Sunk
1917
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
torpedo
Tonnage
2,630 GRT

Launched in 1882 from the Wigham Richardson & Co. shipyard in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, the vessel we know as the Algiers lived a varied life under several names, including the Castle Eden and the Lys. By 1917, she was sailing under the ownership of the Franco-British SS Co Ltd, a testament to her 35 years of durable service as a cargo-carrying steamship.

Like so many of her contemporaries, her career was ended by the First World War. On February 26th, 1917, while in the waters off the Cornish coast, she was attacked and torpedoed by the German submarine UC-65. The explosion crippled the ship, and she sank, joining the growing underwater graveyard of merchant vessels in the English Channel.

The wreck of the Algiers now lies at a depth of 37 metres, making it an excellent site for advanced recreational divers. The vessel is well broken up but key features, such as her two large boilers and the remains of her engine, are still clearly identifiable. The wreckage provides a complex and interesting habitat for marine life, with schools of pollack and wrasse often seen patrolling the structure, while conger eels and crabs hide amongst the fallen plates.

Marine Protected Area: Offshore Overfalls

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 ALGIERS

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 ALGIERS

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