AUSTRALBUSH (POSSIBLY)
Protected Area
Start Point to Plymouth Sound and Eddystone
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) - AUSTRALBUSH (POSSIBLY) offers some of Cornwall & Devon's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 10-18°C, warmest July, August, September.
The AUSTRALBUSH sits deep, a true expedition dive for technical teams. This isn’t a quick jaunt; at 56 metres, it demands solid gas planning and comfort with cold, dark water. What we love about this site is the sheer history of it, a freighter torpedoed in 1917, a stark reminder of wartime shipping losses. When you drop onto the AUSTRALBUSH, it’s a sombre scene. The structure is broken but recognisable, with the bow and stern still distinct. Visibility can be hit or miss, but on a good day, the scale of the wreck is impressive, its metal framework draped in dead man's fingers and anemones. We’ve found conger eels tucked into boiler rooms and schools of pout swirling around the upper decks. It’s a dark, atmospheric dive, often with a decent current, so be ready for that. This wreck is for experienced technical divers who appreciate a deep, historical challenge more than a coral garden. Our tip: aim for slack water on a neap tide for the calmest conditions.
Typical AUSTRALBUSH (POSSIBLY) Dive Profile
Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.
Safety Notes
Maximum depth 56m 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.
AUSTRALBUSH (POSSIBLY) Wreck History
Year Sunk
1917
Vessel Type
steamship
Cause
torpedo
The Australbush was a casualty of the relentless U-boat campaigns of the First World War. On November 13, 1917, while steaming on a vital wartime route from Le Havre, France, to Barry, Wales, the steamship was targeted by a German submarine. A single torpedo strike sealed its fate, and the vessel sank into the deep waters of the English Channel, joining the countless other merchant ships lost during the conflict.
Today, the wreck of the Australbush rests at a depth of 56 meters off the coast of Cornwall and Devon. This depth places it firmly in the realm of technical diving, accessible only to experienced and suitably qualified divers. Those who make the descent are rewarded with a glimpse into history. As a WWI-era wreck, it represents a significant moment in maritime warfare. The depth has helped preserve it from the worst of the currents and storm surges, offering a challenging and rewarding dive for those equipped to explore its silent, deep-water grave.
Nearest Dive Centres to AUSTRALBUSH (POSSIBLY)
Dive shops near AUSTRALBUSH (POSSIBLY)
Sound Diving Limited
Plymouth Diving Centre
Dive Looe
Reviews for AUSTRALBUSH (POSSIBLY)
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for AUSTRALBUSH (POSSIBLY)
AUSTRALBUSH (POSSIBLY) Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for AUSTRALBUSH (POSSIBLY), sourced from Open-Meteo marine data - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (50.44, -2.73) (3km away)
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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