BORGNY
Protected Area
Southbourne Rough
Why dive here
With 176+ marine species recorded in the area - including blue sharks, dolphins, dwarf minke whales, humpback whales and ocean sunfish (mola mola) - BORGNY offers some of Cornwall & Devon's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 10-18°C, warmest July, August, September.
The Borgny. Now here’s a wreck that always delivers. She’s a decent size, 69 metres of steamship, and sits upright at 31 metres, making her a solid pick for experienced divers. We love the way the light filters down through the superstructure; on a good day, it really highlights the huge boiler. You’ll find her bow pointing north, often tucked into the current, which can be pretty lively here. Our favourite part is exploring the stern, where you can often spot conger eels poking their heads out from the darker recesses. The whole wreck is just covered in plumose anemones, soft corals, and dead man’s fingers, all swaying gently with the surge. Visibility averages 10-15 metres, but we've had days where it stretched to 20, making the whole ship feel enormous. Keep an eye out for dogfish resting on the seabed around the wreck. If you’re coming down here, aim for slack water; it makes a huge difference to how much you can really poke around and appreciate her history.
Typical BORGNY Dive Profile
Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.
Safety Notes
Deep dive (31m) - monitor air consumption closely. Advanced certification recommended.
Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.
Always perform a 3-minute safety stop at 5m before surfacing.
BORGNY Wreck History
Year Sunk
1918
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
torpedo
The Borgny was a Norwegian-built steamship, launched in 1909 from the Akers Mekaniske Verksted shipyard in Christiana (modern-day Oslo). A typical cargo steamer of her time, she measured nearly 70 metres in length and was powered by a single triple-expansion steam engine. For nearly a decade, she plied the trade routes of Northern Europe, a workhorse of the sea connecting ports and economies.
Her service came to a violent end during the height of the First World War. On February 26, 1918, while on a passage from Newport to Rouen, the Borgny was targeted by a German U-boat. A single torpedo strike sealed her fate, sending the ship and her cargo to the bottom of the English Channel. Today, she lies at a depth of around 31 metres off the coast of Cornwall. The wreck is a poignant reminder of the U-boat campaign and offers advanced divers a chance to connect with a dramatic chapter of maritime history.
Nearest Dive Centres to BORGNY
Dive shops near BORGNY
Divers Down
TAL Scuba Ltd.
Mayim Mermaid Academy
Dorset Diving Services
Andark Diving
In2 Diving
Reviews for BORGNY
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for BORGNY
BORGNY Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for BORGNY, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (50.44, -2.73) (3km away)
October Averages
Sea Temperature
17°C
62°F · Range: 15.1–17.5°C
Air Temperature
13°C
56°F
Wind Speed
8.14 m/s
15.8 knots
Atmospheric Pressure
1011 hPa
Based on 4 years of monitoring data · Data sources: Open-Meteo marine data
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