AZEMMOUR - Cornwall & Devon

The Azemmour is a truly absorbing wreck and one of our favourites in Lyme Bay, especially if you’re into a proper rummage. She’s a decent size at 62.5m, sitting upright and largely intact at 37m. Dropping down, the first thing you notice is the sheer volume of fish – pollack and cod drift lazily through the superstructure, and if you’re lucky, conger eels peek from hidden nooks. We’ve found her bridge section particularly interesting, still quite defined, with plenty of entry points for careful penetration if you’re appropriately qualified and experienced. Our pick for exploring is the stern, where the triple expansion engine and a single boiler are still very much present, now heavily encrusted with plumose anemones, creating these incredible white and orange tapestries. It’s a real photographer's wreck, with dramatic silhouettes against the green-blue water. The Azemmour suits experienced divers comfortable at depth and keen to explore a historical wreck rather than just observing it from above. Currents can be a factor here, so slack water is always the smart play.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.482227, -1.640387
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
37m

Wreck History - AZEMMOUR

Year Sunk
1918
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
torpedo
Tonnage
1,779 GRT

Launched in 1909 as the SS Wistaria, this vessel was later acquired by the famous Compagnie Générale Transatlantique (the French Line) and renamed Azemmour. During the height of the First World War, she was put into service transporting vital supplies. Her wartime career ended on March 20, 1918, while she was sailing off the coast of Devon. She was spotted and torpedoed by the German submarine UB-57, sinking with her general cargo.

Today, the Azemmour lies at a depth of 37 meters, making her an excellent dive for advanced and technical divers. The wreck is a classic WWI casualty, with her triple-expansion engine and large boiler standing as the most prominent features amidst the collapsed hull plates. As a victim of war, she serves as a poignant reminder of the conflict that took place just off the British coast. The wreck is often visited by schools of fish and is decorated with anemones and other marine growth, bringing life and color to this historical site.

Marine Protected Area: Albert Field

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 AZEMMOUR

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 AZEMMOUR

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