BORGUND I (POSSIBLY) - Cornwall & Devon

The Borgund I, possibly, is one of those deeper wrecks that really rewards the effort. We love it because it’s a proper dive, a deep shot that plunges you onto a steamship lost in 1917. Dropping down, the light fades fast, and then the dark silhouette of the hull starts to resolve from the gloom at 49 metres. She’s broken, but enough remains to give you a real sense of her purpose. We usually spend our bottom time exploring the engine room area, which is always busy with conger eels – some of them absolute monsters – and the occasional inquisitive bib. The plating is draped in dead man’s fingers, swaying in the gentle surge, and nudibranchs are always poking around the edges. It’s a dive for experienced wreck enthusiasts who appreciate the history and the atmosphere of a deep, dark resting place, far removed from the sunlit shallows.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.437366, -2.893117
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
49m

Wreck History - BORGUND I (POSSIBLY)

Year Sunk
1917
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
unknown

Lying in the deep, silent waters off the Cornish coast, this wreck presents a compelling mystery for technical divers. Believed to be the steamship Borgund I, its story is tied to the intense naval conflict of the First World War. On June 30, 1917, while sailing from Port Talbot to Rouen, a vital supply route during the war, the vessel disappeared beneath the waves. As a registered Lloyds War Loss, it was almost certainly a casualty of enemy action, likely falling victim to a German U-boat's torpedo or a mine in the heavily contested waters of the English Channel.

At a challenging depth of 49 metres, exploring the Borgund I is reserved for experienced divers with technical training. The wreck is a time capsule from a pivotal moment in history, offering a somber yet fascinating glimpse into the past. The uncertainty of its identity only adds to the allure, as divers who descend to these depths are not just exploring a shipwreck, but also engaging with an unsolved piece of maritime history.

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 BORGUND I (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 BORGUND I (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