ANGELE (POSSIBLY) - Cornwall & Devon

Okay, let's set expectations for the Angele, because "wreck" might conjure images of something grand. At a maximum depth of one metre, this isn't a dive you're kitting up for. We're talking snorkel or even just a good low tide walk, but don't let that deter you. This is a genuinely compelling piece of history, the remains of an 1875 sailing vessel that came to grief on Doom Bar in 1911. What you'll experience here is the skeletal timber ribs of the Angele, often exposed and barnacle-encrusted, looking like something a sea monster picked clean. It’s a stark, beautiful silhouette against the sand. We love coming here at low spring tide, when much of the structure is out of the water, allowing you to walk among the timbers and truly appreciate the scale. When the tide is in, even a few inches of water transform it, and it becomes a perfect spot for free-diving practice or just a gentle float over the timbers, where small blennies dart amongst the nooks and crannies. Keep an eye out for crabs scuttling over the sand around the wreck. It’s a very different kind of exploration, but deeply atmospheric and offers a real connection to Cornwall’s maritime past.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.562668, -4.936400
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
1m

Wreck History - ANGELE (POSSIBLY)

Year Sunk
1911
Vessel Type
sailing vessel
Cause
grounding
Tonnage
199 GRT

The Angèle was a 199-ton French brigantine built in 1875. As a typical merchant sailing vessel of her time, she spent her life carrying cargo between ports in France and the United Kingdom, powered only by the wind and the skill of her crew.

Her final, tragic voyage took place in November 1911. While en route from Swansea to Lorient with a cargo of coal, the Angèle was caught in a fierce gale and sought shelter in the Camel Estuary. On the night of November 13th, her anchors failed to hold against the storm's fury. The vessel was dragged helplessly onto the infamous Doom Bar, a treacherous sandbar known for claiming countless ships. The powerful surf quickly broke the ship apart, and tragically, four of her five crew members were lost to the sea.

Today, the remains of the Angèle are buried beneath the shifting sands of the Doom Bar. At a depth of only one meter, this is not a scuba dive in the traditional sense. Instead, it is a historical site that can sometimes be glimpsed at very low tides or after storms have scoured the sand away, revealing a few ghostly timbers. It serves as a poignant reminder of Cornwall's perilous maritime history and the sailors who lost their lives to the power of the sea.

Marine Protected Area: Trebetherick 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 ANGELE (POSSIBLY)

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 ANGELE (POSSIBLY)

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