BAMSE (PROBABLY) - Cornwall & Devon

The Bamse (probably) is one of our favourite deep wrecks off the Cornish coast. Dropping down, you’ll feel the chill of the deep, a proper expedition dive, well worth the planning. We love how the wreck sits upright at 48 metres, her bow pointing north. The visibility here can be superb, 15 metres isn't uncommon, and the structure is surprisingly intact for a ship sunk in 1918. You can still make out the forecastle and the stern, and even spot the remains of her compound expansion engine. Schools of pout and bib often swarm the midships, while conger eels peer out from behind plating. We always feel a real sense of history here. This site is for experienced deep divers looking for a challenging but rewarding glimpse into maritime heritage. The Bamse delivers a true wreck dive, showcasing how the ocean reclaims these forgotten vessels.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.435783, -3.057833
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
48m

Wreck History - BAMSE (PROBABLY)

Year Sunk
1918
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
torpedo

The SS Bamse was a veteran of the seas, an iron steamship built in Whitby back in 1875. By the time of World War I, she was an old vessel, sailing under the Norwegian flag for the Fred Olsen line. On April 17, 1918, during the final, intense year of the war, the Bamse was sailing off the coast of Cornwall. Her fate was sealed when she was spotted by the German submarine SM UB-112, a new Type UB III U-boat that had only been commissioned a day earlier. The Bamse became one of UB-112's first victims, sunk by a torpedo.

The story connects two diveable wrecks. The predator, SM UB-112, survived the war only to be surrendered to the Allies at Harwich. She was later used for explosive trials off Falmouth and her remains can still be found on Castle Beach. Her victim, the Bamse, lies in 48 meters of water and is a challenging but rewarding dive for experienced wreck enthusiasts. Exploring this elderly steamship offers a direct connection to the hunter-killer drama that played out beneath the waves of the English Channel over a century ago.

Marine Protected Area: East of Start Point

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 BAMSE (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 BAMSE (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