BEECHTREE - Cornwall & Devon

The Beechtree is a proper dive, one we keep coming back to when the conditions are right. This steamship, torpedoed in 1917, sits upright at 60 metres, a deep but rewarding dive for those comfortable with the depth. Dropping down, the bow emerges first, often draped in fishing nets, then the whole structure slowly reveals itself. We love tracing the deck, seeing the mast sections collapsed across the holds, and picturing her final moments. The sheer size of the Beechtree means there's always something new to spot. Look for conger eels peeking from every crack and crevice, and the sheer number of jewel anemones covering the metalwork is something else – a riot of orange and pink. Visibility can be a challenge here, as with many deeper wrecks in the UK, so pick your weather window carefully; we've found that a calm spell after a few days of settled high pressure gives the best chance. It’s a site for experienced wreck divers, definitely not one for your first 60m dive, but for those with the training, it’s a magnificent piece of history waiting to be explored.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.092278, -3.440368
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
60m

Wreck History - BEECHTREE

Year Sunk
1917
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
torpedo
Tonnage
1,227 GRT

The SS Beechtree was a relatively new vessel when she met her fate during the height of the First World War. Built in 1912 in Hoboken, Belgium, by the Antwerp Engineering Co., she was a modern steamship designed for the rigours of European trade. At just five years old, she was a valuable asset in the Allied war effort, transporting essential cargo across the heavily contested waters of the English Channel.

On February 10, 1917, the Beechtree was on a voyage from Swansea to Rouen, France, laden with a cargo of coal. As she steamed approximately 11 miles southeast of Start Point, she was spotted by the German minelaying submarine UC-21. A single torpedo struck the Beechtree, sealing her doom. The ship sank quickly, becoming another casualty of Germany's unrestricted submarine warfare campaign.

Lying at a depth of 60 meters, the Beechtree is a challenging and rewarding dive reserved for experienced technical and rebreather divers. The wreck sits upright on the seabed and is remarkably intact for a vessel of its age. Divers can explore the bows, the holds, and the stern section, all of which are covered in a vibrant carpet of jewel anemones and dead man's fingers. The depth and clear waters often attract large pollack and conger eels, making it a spectacular, albeit deep, window into maritime history.

Marine Protected Area: Skerries Bank and Surrounds

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 BEECHTREE

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 BEECHTREE

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