53m
    Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom
    Wight-Barfleur Reef

    ASHMUN J CLOUGH (POSSIBLY)

    Best months: Jul–Sep

    Protected Area

    Wight-Barfleur Reef

    Why dive here

    With 176+ marine species recorded in the area - including blue sharks, dolphins, dwarf minke whales, humpback whales and ocean sunfish (mola mola) - ASHMUN J CLOUGH (POSSIBLY) offers some of Cornwall & Devon's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 10-18°C, warmest July, August, September.

    Best timeJul–Sep
    WetsuitA 5mm wetsuit
    Marine lifeBlue Sharks, Dolphins, Dwarf Minke Whales, Humpback Whales and Ocean Sunfish (Mola Mola) · 176+ species recorded
    Water10-18°C · warmest July, August, September
    CharacterWreck dive · max 53m
    StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

    The Ashmun J. Clough, or what we strongly suspect is her, offers a deep, moody dive that’s a real challenge but incredibly rewarding. Dropping to 53 metres, you’re looking at a serious commitment, so this is one strictly for experienced technical divers. We love the sheer scale of her down there. The stern sits quite proud, her massive propeller blades still largely intact and looming out of the gloom. Visibility can be a mixed bag, but on a good day, the light filtering down through the green Cornish waters gives the whole site an atmospheric, almost ghostly feel. What really makes this wreck sing for us is the way marine life has utterly colonised it. You’ll see conger eels tucked into every available crevice, their heads poking out with surprising curiosity. Schools of pollack often hang just off the deck plates, shimmering as you approach. Keep an eye out for the jewel anemones, their tiny, vibrant tentacles clinging to the exposed metalwork – a pop of colour against the rust. Penetration is possible in places, especially into the engine room, but it requires careful planning and precise buoyancy control. It's a proper expedition, a delve into history and a testament to the ocean's reclaiming power.

    Typical ASHMUN J CLOUGH (POSSIBLY) Dive Profile

    15m30m45m60mSafety Stop0m53m max~15 min estimated bottom time

    Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.

    Safety Notes

    Maximum depth 53m exceeds recreational limits (40m). Technical diving certification and equipment required.

    Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.

    Always perform a 3-minute safety stop at 5m before surfacing.

    Today06:2317:2611h 3m daylightGolden hour 16:42

    ASHMUN J CLOUGH (POSSIBLY) Wreck History

    Year Sunk

    1944

    Vessel Type

    cargo ship

    Cause

    torpedo

    The ASHMUN J CLOUGH was a product of the Second World War, built in 1943 to serve the Allied cause. As part of the vast merchant fleet managed for the Ministry of War Transport, she played a crucial role in the lifeline of supplies, munitions, and goods that sustained the war effort. Like many such vessels, she was built for utility and pressed into dangerous service almost immediately.

    Her wartime career was tragically short. On August 26, 1944, while sailing in a convoy off the coast of Cornwall, the ASHMUN J CLOUGH was targeted by the German submarine U-989. A torpedo found its mark, and the resulting explosion sent the steamship to the bottom of the English Channel, a casualty of the long and brutal Battle of the Atlantic.

    Today, the wreck lies at a depth of 53 meters, placing it firmly in the realm of technical diving. The cold, deep waters have helped preserve the vessel's structure, offering a compelling and atmospheric dive. For experienced, mixed-gas divers, a descent to the ASHMUN J CLOUGH is a journey back in time, providing a solemn and poignant encounter with a largely intact piece of WWII history.

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    Conditions

    Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for ASHMUN J CLOUGH (POSSIBLY)

    ASHMUN J CLOUGH (POSSIBLY) Ocean Conditions

    Monthly averages for ASHMUN J CLOUGH (POSSIBLY), sourced from Open-Meteo marine data - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (50.44, -2.73) (3km away)

    ExcellentGreatGoodFairPoor★Best monthsThis month

    October Averages

    Sea Temperature

    17°C

    62°F · Range: 15.1–17.5°C

    Air Temperature

    13°C

    56°F

    Wind Speed

    8.14 m/s

    15.8 knots

    Atmospheric Pressure

    1011 hPa

    Based on 4 years of monitoring data · Data sources: Open-Meteo marine data

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