BORDERDENE

The SS Borderdene was a small British steam coaster built in 1919. During the Second World War, she played a vital role in the dangerous but essential task of transporting goods around the British coastline. These small vessels were the lifeblood of the home front, but they faced constant threats from enemy aircraft, E-boats, and naval mines.

On January 13th, 1942, while on a voyage from London to Hayle with a cargo of cement, the Borderdene's journey came to an abrupt end. She struck a mine near the infamous Manacles reef off the Cornish coast, a treacherous area of water made even deadlier by the war. The explosion was catastrophic, and the vessel quickly foundered, coming to rest in very shallow water close to the shore.

Lying at a depth of just 1 meter, the Borderdene is now a highly broken and scattered wreck, heavily salvaged and pounded by the relentless sea. While not a scuba dive in the traditional sense, its remains are accessible to snorkelers and kayakers on a calm day. Twisted plates and sections of the hull are visible amongst the kelp, offering a stark and shallow reminder of the perils of wartime shipping on the British coast.