BENGROVE (PROBABLY) - Cornwall & Devon

Bengrove. Probably. We love a wreck with a little mystery, and this steamship, resting upright at 32 metres, certainly has it. Sunk by a U-boat in 1915, you’ll find her off Start Point, her bow generally pointing north. The main structure is still very much there – a proper ship shape – and the stern section is particularly impressive. We’d suggest focusing your time here; the propeller is often visible, a dark silhouette against the murk, and the rudder post makes for a great photo opportunity. This is a site for the experienced UK wreck diver, someone who appreciates the history and the often-challenging conditions that come with deeper dives in temperate waters. The exposed location means current can be a factor, so pick your slack carefully. What you get in return is a truly atmospheric dive. The coal cargo, still spilling from her holds, provides an unusual backdrop, and we’ve seen some surprisingly large conger eels tucked into the darker recesses. Look out for edible crabs scuttling over the plates and bib shoals darting in and out of the superstructure. It’s a proper dive, a deep delve into history, and a firm DivePlnr favourite.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
51.298310, -4.125771
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
32m

Wreck History - BENGROVE (PROBABLY)

Year Sunk
1915
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
torpedo
Tonnage
3,840 GRT

The SS Bengrove was a modern steamship for her time, built in 1910 by Craig, Taylor & Co. of Stockton-on-Tees. With the outbreak of World War I, her civilian career was cut short as she was put into the vital service of transporting coal to fuel the war effort in France, a dangerous but essential task on the maritime front line.

On March 7th, 1915, while on passage from Barry with a cargo of 5,850 tons of coal, the Bengrove was spotted in the Bristol Channel by the German submarine U-20. A single torpedo struck the steamer, sealing her fate and sending her to the bottom. The U-boat responsible, commanded by Kapitänleutnant Walther Schwieger, would achieve global infamy just two months later for sinking the passenger liner RMS Lusitania.

Today, the Bengrove lies at an accessible depth of 32 meters, making her a popular and fascinating dive for advanced recreational divers. The strong tides of the Bristol Channel often provide excellent visibility, scouring the wreck clean and revealing her key features. Divers can explore the large boilers, the triple-expansion engine, and large sections of collapsed hull plating, all now colonized by a vibrant array of marine life.

Marine Protected Area: Hillsborough

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 BENGROVE (PROBABLY)

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 BENGROVE (PROBABLY)

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