ANDOLA

The Andola was a hardy Norwegian barque built in 1869, accustomed to the rigors of 19th-century global trade. Her final, fateful voyage was an epic and arduous journey from Tacoma, on the west coast of North America, bound for Europe. The trip around Cape Horn was exceptionally difficult, and the ship arrived in Falmouth, Cornwall, a full two months overdue, undoubtedly bearing the scars of the sea.

After a brief stop, the Andola was ordered to proceed to her final destination of Hull. On January 29, 1895, as she attempted to navigate out of the Cornish coast, she fell victim to the infamous Manacles reef. The sailing ship tacked too late and was driven hard aground on the northern side of Shark's Fin Rock, a notorious ship-killer. Battered by the waves, the Andola quickly broke apart and was lost.

Resting in just 6 meters of water, the remains of the Andola are now scattered across the rocky seabed of the Manacles. Over a century of storm and surge has ensured that no large sections of the hull remain intact. For divers, this is a historical scavenger hunt. The site consists of flattened iron plates, frames, and other metal fixtures mingled with the kelp and rocks. It’s a dive that connects you directly to the perilous reality of Cornwall's maritime past, offering a poignant glimpse into a shipwreck from the great age of sail.