BADGER (PROBABLY) - Cornwall & Devon

The Badger (Probably) is a deep-water challenge off the Cornish coast, a wreck we love for its history and its eerie, settled feel. Lying at 60 metres, this small steamship, sunk by a U-boat in 1916, is for the experienced technical diver. We'd suggest calm conditions for this one, as the surface can get choppy and that long descent is much nicer without a rollercoaster ride. Once you’re down, the wreck itself is compact, only 20 metres long, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in atmosphere. The probable compound expansion engine is still recognisable, a hulking shape draped in soft corals and sponges. We've often seen conger eels peering out from gaps in the plating, their thick bodies camouflaged against the dark metal. The visibility here can be excellent on a good day, allowing you to appreciate the scale of the wreck against the vast blue of the open water. It’s a quiet dive, a real journey back in time, and our pick for those who appreciate a historical wreck that feels truly untouched.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.090500, -1.814050
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
60m

Wreck History - BADGER (PROBABLY)

Year Sunk
1916
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
torpedo

Lying in the deep, dark waters of the English Channel, the wreck tentatively identified as the steamship Badger is a dive reserved for experienced technical divers. At a challenging depth of 60 meters, this site tells a grim story from the height of the First World War. In August 1916, the Badger was on a routine passage from Jersey to Portsmouth, carrying a cargo of 90 tons of coal tar. Her journey was violently interrupted when she was attacked by an enemy vessel, likely a German U-boat. The small steamer stood little chance and quickly sank to the seabed.

Today, the Badger rests as a time capsule of the Great War. Divers descending through the cold, green water will find the remains of a classic early 20th-century coastal trader. While over a century of immersion has taken its toll, key features like her compound expansion engine and single shaft may still be identifiable. Exploring this wreck is a somber reminder of the civilian cost of war at sea, offering a poignant and technically demanding dive into history.

Marine Protected Area: West of Wight-Barfleur

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 BADGER (PROBABLY)

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 BADGER (PROBABLY)

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