BASIL-2 - Cornwall & Devon

The Basil-2, off the coast of Cornwall, is a cracking wreck dive, especially if you appreciate a bit of history beneath the waves. This steamship, sunk by a U-boat in 1917, now lies at a very manageable 25 metres, making it accessible for most experienced recreational divers. We love poking around her substantial remains; at 103 metres long, there’s plenty to explore. Visibility here is typical for the UK, often around 5-10 metres, but that just adds to the atmosphere as you fin along her decks. You'll often find conger eels peering out from gaps in the plating, and the swim-throughs offer encounters with plump lobsters tucked into every crevice. Our favourite spot is the bow section; it’s still impressively intact and often has shoals of pollack darting through the superstructure. A well-tied shot line and a good torch are essential here, not just for the wreck itself but to appreciate the vibrant jewel anemones that cling to her shadowed corners. Plan for a dive around slack water; the currents can pick up.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.583767, -0.683100
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
25m

Wreck History - BASIL-2

Year Sunk
1917
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
torpedo

Launched in 1895 as the SS Mourne, this venerable steamship began her life plying trade routes for Thomas Dixon & Sons of Belfast. Built by the legendary Workman Clarke & Co, she was a sturdy vessel of her time. In 1898, she was sold to the Booth Steamship Company and renamed the Basil, embarking on a new chapter of service that would last nearly two decades.

Her final voyage came during the height of the First World War. On November 11, 1917, the Basil was lost, likely to enemy action, sinking beneath the waves off the coast of Cornwall. Today, she rests at a depth of 25 meters, a poignant memorial to the Great War's maritime toll. Divers can explore the scattered but recognizable remains of this classic steamship, a vessel that transitioned from a peaceful merchant career to a wartime casualty, now reclaimed by the sea.

Marine Protected Area: Offshore Overfalls

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 BASIL-2

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 BASIL-2

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