BESSIE STEPHENS - Cornwall & Devon

The Bessie Stephens is, in our opinion, one of the more evocative wrecks off the Cornish coast. She was a sailing vessel, sunk by a U-boat in 1918, and that wartime history just hangs in the water around her. You’re looking at a deep dive here, 59 metres, so definitely one for experienced technical divers. We’d suggest a trimix setup to give you comfortable bottom time. She sits upright, largely intact, with her masts still reaching skyward, though obviously collapsed and draped in fishing nets these days. Descending onto her deck, you’ll often find conger eels peering from every dark recess, and big schools of pollack swirl around the rigging, dimming the already limited light. The wooden hull itself is covered in dead man’s fingers and anemones, a tapestry of white and orange against the gloom. Our favourite part has to be the stern, where you can still make out the graceful curve of her counter, a stark reminder of her sailing days before the torpedo hit. Visibility can be a challenge, so pick your day carefully, ideally with slack tide for the best conditions. When it’s good, though, she’s absolutely captivating.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
51.117157, -4.913582
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
59m

Wreck History - BESSIE STEPHENS

Year Sunk
1918
Vessel Type
sailing vessel
Cause
torpedo

The Bessie Stephens met her end during the final, brutal year of World War I. By February 1918, Germany's campaign of unrestricted submarine warfare was at its peak, and the waters around the British Isles were among the most dangerous in the world. As a sailing vessel, the Bessie Stephens would have been a slow-moving and vulnerable target for the U-boats that stalked the shipping lanes off the coast of Cornwall.

On February 14, 1918, her luck ran out. She was intercepted by a German submarine, captured, and then sunk by explosive charges or gunfire. This was a common tactic used against smaller merchant vessels to conserve precious torpedoes. The crew were likely taken prisoner or set adrift in a lifeboat as their ship slipped beneath the waves, becoming another casualty in the relentless war at sea.

Today, the Bessie Stephens rests in 59 meters of water, placing her firmly in the realm of technical diving. At this depth, she is protected from the worst of the storm surge, and is likely a well-preserved time capsule from the Great War. For suitably qualified and equipped divers, the wreck offers a poignant dive into history, a chance to explore the silent remains of a vessel that was a victim of a global conflict far from the trenches of France.

Marine Protected Area: Lundy

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 BESSIE STEPHENS

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 BESSIE STEPHENS

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