BENGROVE (PROBABLY)

Best months: Jul–Sep

Protected Area

Hillsborough

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) - BENGROVE (PROBABLY) 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 32m

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

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.

Typical BENGROVE (PROBABLY) Dive Profile

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

Safety Notes

Deep dive (32m) - monitor air consumption closely. Advanced certification recommended.

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.

Today06:3417:3411h 1m daylightGolden hour 16:49

BENGROVE (PROBABLY) Wreck History

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.