BORGNY - Cornwall & Devon

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.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.590760, -1.695507
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
31m

Wreck History - BORGNY

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.

Marine Protected Area: Southbourne Rough

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 BORGNY

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 BORGNY

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