ANDROMEDA - Cornwall & Devon

The Andromeda is a wreck that really shows its age, and that’s what we love about it. Sunk in 1915, this sailing vessel is less about pristine structure and more about a scatter of history. You'll find it well broken up on the seabed near Killigerran Head, a sprawling field of ribs, plates, and timbers. It’s a shallow dive, maxing out at 6m, which means plenty of bottom time to really soak it all in. Our favourite part is poking around the twisted metalwork, imagining the sheer scale of the ship it once was. The remains are well colonised by seaweeds, and you’ll see plenty of crabs scuttling over the debris, with blennies darting into crevices. We’d suggest a calm day for this one; visibility can be a bit challenging if there’s much swell running. It's a fantastic site for newer wreck divers or anyone who appreciates the quiet dignity of an older wreck being reclaimed by the sea.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.149517, -4.987566
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
6m

Wreck History - ANDROMEDA

Year Sunk
1915
Vessel Type
sailing vessel
Cause
storm
Tonnage
2,888 GRT

The ANDROMEDA was a majestic four-masted steel barque, a powerful relic from the golden age of sail. Built in 1890 in Port Glasgow, she represented the pinnacle of commercial sailing vessel design, capable of carrying huge cargoes across the globe. Her final voyage was a testament to her purpose, having sailed all the way from Tacoma, Washington, laden with a cargo of wheat, and bound for the historic port of Falmouth in Cornwall.

After months at sea and having successfully navigated thousands of miles, the ANDROMEDA was tantalizingly close to her destination. On February 13, 1915, while awaiting the pilot to guide her into Falmouth's safe harbor, a sudden and ferocious southerly gale struck. The wind and waves drove the huge vessel helplessly towards the shore, and she was wrecked upon the rocks of Killigerran Head. In a dramatic rescue, the Falmouth lifeboat battled the storm to save the entire crew from the doomed ship.

Lying in just 6 meters of water, the ANDROMEDA is now one of the most accessible wreck sites in Cornwall. Its shallow depth makes it an ideal location for novice divers, trainees, and even snorkelers. The force of the storm and over a century of wave action have left the wreck completely broken up. Divers can spend a long, relaxed dive exploring the scattered steel plates, ribs, and other remnants of the once-proud ship, which are now encrusted with marine life and provide a home for wrasse, crabs, and lobsters. The ample sunlight at this depth makes it a bright and fascinating introduction to wreck diving.

Marine Protected Area: Carricknath Point to Porthbean Beach

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 ANDROMEDA

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 ANDROMEDA

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