ARTHURTOWN - Cornwall & Devon

The *Arthurtown* is a proper piece of history right off the Cornish coast, and we love diving it. She was sunk by a mine in '44, a motor vessel on her way to Scotland, and now she sits upright at a very manageable 15 metres. That depth makes her ideal for newer wreck divers or those who just want a relaxed potter around a genuine wreck. You can really make out her structure, the bow and stern still well-defined. We often find ourselves just ghosting along her deck, spotting the resident wrasse and pollock darting through the superstructure. The engine room is open to exploration for suitably qualified divers, a dark, silty delve that really brings home the wreck's past. Our favourite part has to be the stern, where the prop shaft is still visible, encrusted with anemones and dead man's fingers. Visibility can be a typical Cornish mixed bag, but on a good day, with a bit of sunlight, the greens and purples on the growth are something else. She's a popular spot, so we’d suggest going early on a weekday to avoid the crowds.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.570217, -4.957100
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
15m

Wreck History - ARTHURTOWN

Year Sunk
1944
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
torpedo
Tonnage
397 GRT

Built in 1936 by NV Scheepsbouwwerf Gebr. van der Werf in the Netherlands, the MV Arthurtown was a small but sturdy coastal motor vessel. With a single oil engine, she spent her early years plying the trade routes around the British Isles. At the outbreak of World War II, like many merchant ships, she was pressed into service to support the war effort, transporting essential goods and materials through waters that were becoming increasingly dangerous.

Her final voyage began in August 1944, just two months after the D-Day landings. The Arthurtown was en route from Southampton when she was attacked by German aircraft off Start Point, Devon. On August 7th, bombs struck the vessel, and she sank quickly. The attack was swift and devastating, claiming the life of one of her crew members. Her loss was a stark reminder of the perils faced by the merchant navy, even in the final stages of the war in Europe.

Today, the wreck of the Arthurtown rests in just 15 metres of water, making it a fantastic and accessible dive for all levels of certified divers. Lying on a sandy seabed, the wreck is well broken up after decades beneath the waves, but her general shape is still discernible. The wreckage has become a thriving artificial reef, providing a home for a dense covering of anemones, hydroids, and dead man's fingers. Divers can expect to be greeted by shoals of pollack and bib, while large conger eels peer out from the twisted metal and colourful cuckoo wrasse dart among the plates.

Marine Protected Area: Harbour Cove

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 ARTHURTOWN

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 ARTHURTOWN

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