ASBORG - Cornwall & Devon

The ASBORG is one of our favourite Cornwall wrecks, especially for those who appreciate a proper historical site. She went down in 1918 after hitting a mine, and over a century later, she’s still remarkably intact for a WWI casualty. Sitting upright at 27m, the sheer scale of the ASBORG is what gets you. We love dropping down onto the deck, which is now a bustling reef. You’ll find walls of plumose anemones clinging to the plates, their feathery tentacles swaying in the gentle surge. We’d suggest heading for the stern first. The triple expansion engine is a massive, complicated beast, and we often spot conger eels poking their heads out from behind the machinery. Further forward, the single boiler is a huge focal point, a real classic wreck feature that’s completely encrusted with invertebrate life. While visibility can be a bit hit or miss in the Channel, when it’s good, the ASBORG offers fantastic penetration opportunities for trained wreck divers into the cargo holds. It’s a site for experienced divers who appreciate history and don’t mind a bit of a current.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.530766, -1.263183
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
27m

Wreck History - ASBORG

Year Sunk
1918
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
torpedo
Tonnage
2,969 GRT

The SS Asborg was a Norwegian steam-powered cargo ship built in 1896. For over two decades, she plied the trade routes, a workhorse of the seas. Her career came to a sudden end during the height of World War I, a time when German U-boats prowled the English Channel, creating a perilous gauntlet for Allied and neutral shipping. On January 3, 1918, while on passage, the Asborg was spotted by the German submarine UB-30. A single torpedo struck the vessel, sealing her fate. She sank beneath the waves, becoming another silent casualty of the war at sea.

Today, the Asborg rests at a depth of 27 meters off the coast of Cornwall. The wreck is a fantastic dive, often frequented by local charters. While time and the sea have taken their toll, she remains a recognizable ship. Divers can explore her hull, which is largely intact, and identify key features like her large single boiler and the triple-expansion steam engine. The wreck has become a thriving artificial reef, with its metal structure providing a home for an abundance of marine life, including schools of bib, pollack, and colorful wrasse. Exploring the Asborg is a journey back in time, offering a tangible connection to the maritime history of WWI.

Marine Protected Area: Bonchurch Landslips

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 ASBORG

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 ASBORG

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