BOGSTAD - Cornwall & Devon

The Bogstad sits deep, a proper expedition dive at 49 metres. We love this wreck for its sheer scale and the sense of history that hangs heavy in the water, a ghost from the final days of World War I. Dropping onto the deck, you’re greeted by the skeletal remains of her triple-expansion engine, huge and impressive, now home to plump conger eels that peer out from every dark crevice. Our favourite part is exploring the intact bow section, a real navigational challenge in the often-murky Cornish waters. Expect to find squat lobsters tucked into the plating and schools of bib darting through the superstructure. This is a dive for experienced wreck enthusiasts, divers comfortable with decompression stops and who appreciate the cold, dark beauty of a deep steel ship. Best dived on slack water, obviously, and bring a good torch – it gets dim down there.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.790382, -4.861300
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
49m

Wreck History - BOGSTAD

Year Sunk
1918
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
torpedo
Tonnage
1,589 GRT

The SS Bogstad was a Norwegian steam-powered cargo ship built in Sunderland, England, in 1910. During the final months of World War I, she was tasked with the critical role of transporting iron ore from Bilbao, Spain, to the industrial heartlands of the United Kingdom. On September 4, 1918, while navigating the Bristol Channel, her vital mission was cut tragically short. The German submarine SM UB-125 spotted the Bogstad, firing a torpedo that sealed her fate. The ship sank quickly, taking all 12 of her crew members with her to the seabed.

Today, the SS Bogstad lies 18 nautical miles south of Lundy Island at a depth of 49 meters. This depth places her firmly in the realm of technical diving, accessible only to experienced and properly equipped divers. Those who make the descent are rewarded with a poignant view of a wartime casualty. The wreck is a somber memorial to its lost crew and a tangible piece of maritime history, slowly being reclaimed by the sea and decorated with the marine life of the English Channel.

Marine Protected Area: Bristol Channel Approaches / Dynesfeydd Môr Hafren

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 BOGSTAD

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 BOGSTAD

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