BOKN (POSSIBLY) - Cornwall & Devon

The *Bokn* might be deep, but for us, it's one of Cornwall's more rewarding wrecks. Dropping onto the deck at 53 metres, you'll feel the chill of the thermocline give way to an almost still calm. Visibility down here often hits a decent 15 metres, which is a real bonus for a wreck this size. We love finding the bow, still fairly intact, with its anchor chain spilling into the seabed. Look for the triple-expansion engine midships, a beautiful piece of engineering now home to conger eels, their heads peeking from rusted pipework. This isn't a wreck for beginners; the depth and potential for current mean you'll want solid experience and gas planning. But if you’re comfortable with decompression, the *Bokn* offers a proper journey through history. Schools of bib and pollock swirl around the superstructure, and if you bring a good torch, you'll spot nudibranchs clinging to the metalwork. It’s a quiet, reflective dive, a true dive into the past.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.366600, -2.983117
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
53m

Wreck History - BOKN (POSSIBLY)

Year Sunk
1942
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
torpedo
Tonnage
1,377 GRT

The SS Bokn had a long and storied career before its violent end in the English Channel. Launched in 1890 in Bergen, Norway, this steamship sailed for over five decades under various names, including Grenheim, Blindensol, and Urda. By the time of the Second World War, the aging vessel was pressed into the perilous service of the Allied convoys, a lifeline for wartime Britain.

On July 9th, 1942, while steaming as part of a coastal convoy, the Bokn's long life came to an abrupt end. It was attacked and torpedoed by a German E-boat (fast attack craft), sinking to the seabed. The attack was swift and devastating, a common fate for merchant ships braving the heavily patrolled waters off the English coast during the war.

Today, the Bokn rests at 53 meters, making it a challenging dive reserved for experienced technical divers. The wreck is largely intact, sitting upright on the seabed. Divers can explore its classic steamship features, including the prominent triple-expansion engine and boiler located amidships. The depth and conditions mean visibility can be variable, but for those qualified to make the descent, the Bokn is an atmospheric and historic time capsule from one of history's greatest conflicts.

Marine Protected Area: East of Start Point

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 BOKN (POSSIBLY)

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 BOKN (POSSIBLY)

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