BISHOPSTON - Cornwall & Devon

Bishopston is one of those deeper wrecks that really rewards a careful dive. She’s a steamship, sunk in 1917, and sits upright at 51 metres, making her a solid choice for experienced divers looking for a bit of history. We love that she’s relatively intact for her age and depth. You can often make out the twin boilers and that hefty triple expansion engine, a real marvel of early 20th-century engineering. It’s a proper dive into the past. Visibility can be a real mixed bag in the UK, but when it’s good, the Bishopston offers a genuinely atmospheric experience. We’ve had dives there where the light just filters down, illuminating the superstructure in a ghostly way. Dogfish and conger eels are pretty common residents, often peeking out from under plates or from within the holds. Keep an eye out for nudibranchs too; they sometimes decorate the plating in unexpected colours. Our favourite time to dive her is on a neap tide, right on slack water, to avoid any strong pushes. She’s not a wreck for beginners, but for those with the training, she’s a standout.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.125668, -0.959833
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
51m

Wreck History - BISHOPSTON

Year Sunk
1917
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
unknown

The SS Bishopston was a steamship with a tragically short life. Built in 1916 by the Clyde Shipbuilding & Engineering Co. in Port Glasgow for Swansea Steamers Ltd., she was a product of the massive wartime shipbuilding effort. Powered by a 251 NHP triple-expansion steam engine, she was a typical cargo vessel of her time, designed to transport vital supplies for the war effort.

Her end came on September 4, 1917, during the height of the First World War. While the official records do not specify a cause, her sinking off the coast of Cornwall-a notorious hunting ground for German U-boats-leaves little doubt. Like countless other merchant ships during the war, she was almost certainly the victim of a torpedo attack, lost with her cargo to the depths as part of the unrestricted submarine warfare campaign.

Today, the Bishopston lies at 51 meters, making her a classic deep air or technical trimix dive in the English Channel. The wreck is often subject to strong currents, which can make for a challenging dive but also brings with it a stunning diversity of marine life. Divers can explore the remnants of her hull, identify her two large boilers, and marvel at the impressive triple-expansion engine, which still stands proud amid the wreckage. The Bishopston is a powerful and atmospheric dive, a tangible link to the sacrifices of the merchant navy during the Great War.

Marine Protected Area: Dolphin Head Highly Protected Marine Area

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 BISHOPSTON

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 BISHOPSTON

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