BETSY ANNA - Cornwall & Devon

The Betsy Anna, off the coast of Cornwall, is one of our favourite wreck dives in the area, offering a proper sense of history, even if visibility can sometimes be a bit moody. She went down in 1926, a 63-meter steamship, and now lies upright on the seabed at 24 metres. We love how intact she feels, with the bow and stern still well-defined and the hold accessible for a careful peek. You’ll spot the huge boiler, a real focal point, with shoals of bib and pouting swirling around it, almost like a living cloud. Head towards the stern, and you’ll find conger eels tucked into every dark crevice, their heads poking out with a wary glance. The general current here is usually mild enough for an unhurried exploration, but we’d always suggest checking the local tides; a slack water dive makes all the difference when you're navigating the superstructure. Keep an eye out for dogfish resting on the sand nearby, perfectly camouflaged against the often silty bottom. It’s a dive that rewards slow observation, letting you soak in the atmosphere of a ship frozen in time.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.616530, -1.816233
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
24m

Wreck History - BETSY ANNA

Year Sunk
1926
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
unknown

The SS Betsy Anna is a classic steamship from a bygone era, offering a fantastic dive into industrial history off the coast of Cornwall. Built in 1892 in Newcastle as the SS Ashington, this vessel was a workhorse of its time, powered by a single boiler and a triple-expansion steam engine. For 34 years, she plied the coastal routes of Europe before her career came to an end on October 12, 1926, when she sank for reasons that are not clearly recorded.

Resting at a depth of 24 meters, the Betsy Anna is an ideal wreck for intermediate-level divers. The wreck is relatively intact for its age, and its main attraction is the machinery that once powered it. Divers can explore the impressive boiler and the framework of the triple-expansion engine, getting a tangible sense of the power of the steam age. The surrounding structure has become a vibrant artificial reef, often patrolled by schools of pollack and bib, with colorful anemones and soft corals adorning the rusting steel plates. It's a rewarding dive that perfectly combines history and marine biology.

Marine Protected Area: Southbourne Rough

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 BETSY ANNA

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 BETSY ANNA

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