BATH CITY (POSSIBLY)

Best months: Jul–Sep

Protected Area

Lundy

Why dive here

With 176+ marine species recorded in the area - including blue sharks, dolphins, dwarf minke whales, humpback whales and ocean sunfish (mola mola) - BATH CITY (POSSIBLY) offers some of Cornwall & Devon's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 10-18°C, warmest July, August, September.

Best timeJul–Sep

WetsuitA 5mm wetsuit

Marine lifeBlue Sharks, Dolphins, Dwarf Minke Whales, Humpback Whales and Ocean Sunfish (Mola Mola) · 176+ species recorded

Water10-18°C · warmest July, August, September

CharacterWreck dive · max 42m

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

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.

Typical BATH CITY (POSSIBLY) Dive Profile

Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.

Safety Notes

Maximum depth 42m exceeds recreational limits (40m). Technical diving certification and equipment required.

Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.

Always perform a 3-minute safety stop at 5m before surfacing.

Today06:3517:3611h 1m daylightGolden hour 16:51

BATH CITY (POSSIBLY) Wreck History

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.