BAYGITANO - Cornwall & Devon

The Baygitano, a steamship torpedoed in 1918 by UC-77, is a proper chunk of history lying just southwest of Lyme Regis. She’s a big wreck, over 100 metres long, and while she’s mostly collapsed, there’s still plenty of structure to get your fins around. We love poking through the boiler rooms, imagining the chaos of her final moments. At 17 metres, it’s a comfortable depth for most open water divers, though we’d suggest waiting for a calm day and slack tide; the currents here can really rip. Visibility is your usual UK affair – expect anything from a murky three metres to a respectable ten on a good day. Despite the murk, the marine life is excellent. Conger eels often peer out from every crevice, their heads like knobbly fists. Our favourite spot is the stern, where the prop shaft usually hosts a resident ball of pout and cod. Look closely at the metalwork; it’s draped in dead man’s fingers and jewel anemones, creating a surprisingly colourful carpet over the corroded steel. This is a dive for wreck enthusiasts who appreciate history and don't mind a bit of a hunt.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.696400, -2.934400
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
17m

Wreck History - BAYGITANO

Year Sunk
1918
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
torpedo
Tonnage
3,073 GRT

The SS Baygitano was a 3,000-ton steamship that served diligently throughout World War I, transporting government stores and materials across the English Channel. In March 1918, she was on a voyage from Le Havre, France, to Swansea, Wales, carrying a cargo of pit props-timber essential for reinforcing the trenches on the Western Front and for use in Britain's vital coal mines.

On March 18th, 1918, while steaming through Lyme Bay, she was targeted by the German submarine UC-77. A single torpedo found its mark, and the Baygitano sank in a matter of minutes, just a mile and a half off the coast of Lyme Regis. The sinking was so swift that two crew members were unable to escape and went down with their ship.

Because she sank in just 17 meters of water, the Baygitano is now one of the most popular and accessible wreck dives in the UK. Her shallow depth makes her suitable for divers of all levels, from newly qualified to experienced veterans. The wreck is heavily broken up due to wave action over the last century, but her boilers, engine, and large sections of hull are easily identifiable. The scattered wreckage has created a perfect habitat for marine life, and divers can expect to see a profusion of wrasse, pollack, bib, and crabs, making it a fantastic site for underwater photography and marine life observation.

Marine Protected Area: Axmouth to Lyme Regis Undercliffs

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 BAYGITANO

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 BAYGITANO

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