BATH CITY (POSSIBLY) - Cornwall & Devon

The Bath City. We say 'possibly' because while the chart shows her here, and it's definitely a wreck of the right era, absolute confirmation still eludes us. But what a wreck it is, at 42m, she’s a proper expedition. Dropping onto the bridge amidships, the sheer scale hits you; this 94.5-meter steamship is substantial. You’ll find sections of plating peeling away like ancient parchment, revealing the ribs of the ship beneath, now thick with plumose anemones – pure white against the gloom. Our favourite part is the stern, where the triple-expansion engine room is still quite recognisable. You can swim down into the holds, feeling the chill of the deep, seeing conger eels snaking through the shadowy crevices. We've seen ling here the size of small torpedoes, just hanging in the current, unfazed by divers. It’s a site for experienced wreck divers, no question, comfortable with depth and overhead environments. The Bath City is a journey back in time, a tangible piece of maritime history, and a fantastic deep dive. Just be prepared for the chill, even in summer.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
51.216780, -4.551033
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
42m

Wreck History - BATH CITY (POSSIBLY)

Year Sunk
1900
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
grounding

The SS Bath City was a modern steamship with a tragically short life. Built in 1899 by the respected J.L. Thompson & Sons shipyard, she was equipped with a powerful triple-expansion steam engine, representing the cutting edge of maritime technology at the turn of the 20th century. However, her career would last less than a year.

On February 24, 1900, while navigating the notoriously treacherous waters around Lundy Island in the Bristol Channel, the Bath City made a fatal error. She struck the infamous Needle Rock, tearing a catastrophic hole in her hull. The damage was too severe to overcome, and the new steamship foundered and sank. While the wreck is widely identified as the Bath City, a degree of uncertainty remains, adding a layer of intrigue for visiting divers.

Today, the wreck lies at 42 meters, making it a dive reserved for experienced and deep-certified divers. The conditions off the Devon coast can be challenging, but the reward is a visit to a beautifully preserved piece of maritime history. Divers can explore the substantial remains, including the prominent boilers, the engine block, and large sections of the hull. The structure is heavily encrusted with jewel anemones and home to conger eels, lobsters, and dense schools of bib, offering a stunning and atmospheric deep dive into the past.

Marine Protected Area: Lundy

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 BATH CITY (POSSIBLY)

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 BATH CITY (POSSIBLY)

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