ARMENIER - Cornwall & Devon

The Armenier is a curious beast, a coastal steamer that met its end not by German U-boat, but courtesy of the RAF, used as target practice for their bombing range. We think that’s a pretty unique backstory for a wreck. She sits in incredibly shallow water, barely a metre deep at high tide, which means you’re often diving this one on snorkel or very shallow SCUBA, perhaps even a freedive if you’re quick. What you get here is a proper wreck skeleton. Her ribs poke up through the surface on lower tides, stark against the sky. We love finning over the remains of her hull, picking out plates and beams, imagining her steaming along the coast before her rather explosive retirement. Look closely in the nooks and crannies – the shallow water and strong currents mean you’ll find plenty of crabs, small wrasse, and often a flurry of silver fish darting through the rusted metalwork. It’s a site that really comes alive when the sun is out, dappling light through the water and illuminating the wreck’s structure. We’d suggest going at slack tide for the clearest views, though even with a bit of movement, the sheer history here makes it worthwhile. It's not about big pelagics, it's about intimacy with a piece of history.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.763935, -0.915517
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
1m

Wreck History - ARMENIER

Year Sunk
1945
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
scuttled
Tonnage
380 GRT

The SS Armenier, a small Belgian coastal steamer, had a history intertwined with the turmoil of World War II. In 1940, she fell victim to a German mine, which ripped a hole in her hull. The crew managed to beach the crippled vessel, saving it from being lost entirely. However, her life as a cargo ship was over. The damaged hulk was later acquired by the British Air Ministry for a very different purpose.

In April 1945, as the war in Europe neared its conclusion, the Armenier was towed out to the RAF bombing range in the Exe Bight. There, she was used as a practice target for bombers, and after sustaining numerous hits, she was finally sunk. Today, her remains lie in just one metre of water, with parts of the hull exposed at low tide. While not a scuba dive in the traditional sense, the wreck is a fascinating and accessible piece of history for snorkelers, kayakers, and coastal explorers, its scarred and rusted plates a stark testament to its final, explosive role.

Marine Protected Area: East Head West Wittering

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 ARMENIER

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 ARMENIER

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