ANTWERPEN (PROBABLY) - Cornwall & Devon

The Antwerpen is one of our favourite Cornwall wrecks, a proper deep dive that still offers plenty of structure. Dropping down to 39 metres, you’ll find her sitting upright on the seabed, remarkably intact despite the bombing that sent her down in 1941. We love drifting along her deck, peering into the cargo holds that are now home to spider crabs and conger eels. Keep an eye out for the bow, which is often swathed in plumose anemones, their white tentacles swaying gently in the current. This is a dive for experienced wreck enthusiasts who appreciate the history as much as the marine life. The Antwerpen offers a real sense of exploration. We'd suggest timing your dive for slack water to avoid strong currents, which can pick up quickly here. Visibility can vary, but on a good day, you get a beautiful silhouette of the wreck against the filtered light. It’s a dive that rewards slow, careful exploration.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
51.254482, -4.321483
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
39m

Wreck History - ANTWERPEN (PROBABLY)

Year Sunk
1941
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
aircraft
Tonnage
294 GRT

The MV Antwerpen was a small Dutch motor coaster built in 1927. As a coastal trading vessel, she was the workhorse of her day, transporting essential goods between local ports. With the outbreak of World War II, these seemingly routine journeys became fraught with peril, as coastal shipping lanes became a primary target for enemy forces.

On March 28, 1941, the Antwerpen was on such a voyage, carrying a cargo of coal from Barry, Wales, to Fremington, Devon. While navigating the Bristol Channel off Hartland Point, she was spotted by a German bomber. The aircraft attacked, and the small coaster stood little chance. A direct hit from a bomb sent the Antwerpen to the bottom, taking all six of her crew with her. It was a sudden and violent end for a vessel simply doing its job in the war effort.

Lying at a depth of 39 metres, the wreck of the Antwerpen is a superb dive for experienced enthusiasts. She sits upright on the seabed and is remarkably intact for a vessel of her age that was sunk so violently. Divers can explore the superstructure, peer into the cargo hold, and appreciate the hardy design of this coastal trader. Now encrusted with life, she is a vibrant artificial reef and a solemn memorial to the merchant mariners who lost their lives in the Battle of the Atlantic.

Marine Protected Area: Morte Platform

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 ANTWERPEN (PROBABLY)

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 ANTWERPEN (PROBABLY)

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