ARDANGORM - Cornwall & Devon

The Ardjangorm, just off the Cornish coast, is one of our favourite shallow wrecks. We love its accessibility, sitting at a comfortable 10 metres. It’s perfect for divers who want to spend time truly exploring a wreck rather than just flying over it. The ship was a steam merchant that went down in 1940 after hitting the Gwineas Rocks in thick fog. You can still see significant sections of her hull and machinery spread across the seabed, giving a real sense of the force involved in the wrecking. Entry can be a little choppy on windy days, so pick your weather. Once you're down, though, the current usually isn't a problem. What truly makes the Ardjangorm special is the sheer density of life that has colonised the twisted metal. We often find conger eels tucked into the darker crevices, their heads poking out to eye you up. Look out for dogfish resting on the sand nearby, and the whole wreck shimmers with pollack and wrasse darting in and out of the structure. It’s a photographer’s dream, especially on a sunny day when the light penetrates right to the bottom, illuminating the kelp-covered steel. We’d suggest taking your time, really nosing into the nooks and crannies – that’s where the best stuff hides.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.243984, -4.759667
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
10m

Wreck History - ARDANGORM

Year Sunk
1940
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
grounding
Tonnage
1,489 GRT

The SS Ardangorm was a British steamship built in 1919, a product of the post-WWI era of maritime trade. For two decades, it reliably plied the coastal routes of Europe, transporting essential goods like coal. Its service came to an end during the early months of the Second World War, not from enemy action, but from the timeless peril of the sea: fog.

On January 4, 1940, the Ardangorm was on a voyage from Swansea to Rouen, France, with a full cargo of coal. As it navigated the Cornish coast, a dense fog descended, completely obscuring visibility. The vessel lost its bearings and ran hard aground on the notorious Gwineas Rocks, a treacherous reef south of Gorran Haven. The impact sealed the ship's fate, but fortunately, the Fowey lifeboat was able to rescue all 21 crew members before the Ardangorm broke apart under the relentless force of the sea.

Lying in just 10 meters of water, the Ardangorm is now a scattered but fascinating dive site. Decades of storms have flattened the wreck, but its key features, including the large boilers and sections of steel plating, are still easily identifiable. The wreckage is carpeted in marine life, with kelp forests growing over the steel and an abundance of wrasse, pollack, and crabs making their homes in the debris. Its shallow depth makes it an excellent and accessible dive for novices and a perfect second dive of the day for more experienced divers exploring the Cornish coast.

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 ARDANGORM

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 ARDANGORM

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