BESS MITCHELL - Cornwall & Devon

The Bess Mitchell is a tricky one, and we're being honest, it's not a dive for everyone. This schooner went missing in 1921, and its remains were eventually found scattered near Roque au Nord, Guernsey. It’s marked as a dangerous wreck, and rightly so. What's left of her is very broken up, often just ribs and plates rising from the seabed, but that's precisely what we love about it – the raw history. You'll spend your time here exploring a debris field rather than a cohesive wreck. We've found the best approach is to take it slow, really looking into the nooks and crannies. Expect to see lots of pouting and dogfish tucked amongst the wreckage, and if you have a keen eye, conger eels can be coaxed out of the larger sections of collapsed hull. The currents around here can be fierce, so we always plan our dive for slack water; otherwise, you'll be flying past what little remains. This site really suits those who appreciate the story more than the structure, divers who enjoy picking through history’s bones.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
49.519554, -2.538833
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
1m

Wreck History - BESS MITCHELL

Year Sunk
1921
Vessel Type
schooner
Cause
unknown

The fate of the schooner Bess Mitchell is a maritime mystery from the age of sail. The vessel was reported missing on September 15, 1921, having vanished without a trace or a distress call. The only clue to its demise was the discovery of wreckage near Roque au Nord, Guernsey, suggesting the ship was lost suddenly and violently, likely overwhelmed by a storm in the treacherous waters of the English Channel. Today, the remains of the Bess Mitchell lie in just one meter of water, a testament to the power of the sea. After a century of being worked by tides and currents, the wreck is completely broken and scattered. It is less of a structural dive and more of a historical scatter site, offering a poignant glimpse into the perils faced by sailors in the early 20th century.

Marine Protected Area: Gouliot Caves and Headland, Sark

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 BESS MITCHELL

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 BESS MITCHELL

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