ALLEGRITY - Cornwall & Devon

Alright, the *Allegreity*. We love a shallow wreck, especially when it’s one you can really get to grips with, and this old tanker fits the bill perfectly. She hit Greeb Point back in '61, then drifted into Caerhays. The stern section is what you're after here, largely intact and sitting in just a couple of metres of water. It means you can spend ages poking around without rushing, feeling the surge pull you gently over the ribs of the deck. Head out at low tide for the best visibility; the sandy bottom here can kick up a bit if there's any swell. The metalwork is completely encrusted with mussels and anemones, which pulse gently in the current. Look closely in the nooks and crannies – we’ve often seen blennies peering out and even small conger eels tucked into the darker spaces. It’s not about big pelagics here, it’s about the intricate life that’s made a home of this old girl. It’s a great spot for newer wreck divers or anyone who just wants a really relaxed explore, a proper chill-out dive.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.233913, -4.844399
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
2m

Wreck History - ALLEGRITY

Year Sunk
1961
Vessel Type
tanker
Cause
grounding

The tanker Allegrity began its life in 1945 as the Empire Tavistock, built in Grangemouth, Scotland, as part of the United Kingdom's massive wartime shipbuilding program. These 'Empire' ships were the backbone of the merchant fleet, designed for durability and utility. After the war, it was sold into commercial service and renamed Allegrity. Its career ended on December 13, 1961, when it struck Greeb Point in heavy weather. The damaged vessel drifted off the rocks before finally coming ashore and breaking up at Caerhays, Cornwall.

Lying in just 2 meters of water, the remains of the Allegrity offer an exciting shore dive or snorkel, accessible in calm sea conditions. The wreck is heavily broken and scattered due to decades of relentless wave action against the rugged Cornish coast. Divers can explore the twisted plates, girders, and sections of machinery that are now part of the seabed. The shallow depth and proximity to the shore make it an excellent site for novice divers looking for their first wreck experience. The wreckage is now well-colonized by the local marine life, with kelp, anemones, and crabs making their homes among the steel remnants of this former wartime workhorse.

Marine Protected Area: Cuckoo Rock to Turbot Point

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 ALLEGRITY

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 ALLEGRITY

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