BRETAGNE - Cornwall & Devon

The Bretagne, lying in 24 metres, feels like a proper deep dive, even if the depth isn't extreme. We love this wreck for its accessibility and the sense of history it holds. She’s a steamship, sunk in 1918, and despite being classed as ‘dangerous’ by some, we find her wonderfully explorable. You’ll drop onto a good-sized cargo vessel, 70 metres long, with two boilers standing proud and a triple-expansion engine still largely intact. The stern is often our favourite part, with a distinctive propeller shaft that’s easy to follow. Visibility can be changeable, but when it’s good, the light penetrating the holds is quite something. Look out for the resident conger eels, tucked into every available crevice, and the shoals of pollock and bib that swirl around the structure. It’s a great wreck for divers who want to get a real feel for an early 20th-century steamship without venturing too deep. We suggest aiming for slack water, as currents can pick up.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.491350, -3.378233
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
24m

Wreck History - BRETAGNE

Year Sunk
1918
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
torpedo
Tonnage
1,440 GRT

The SS Bretagne was a Norwegian steamship built in 1903. As a neutral vessel, she continued to trade throughout much of World War I, but by 1918, Germany's policy of unrestricted submarine warfare meant no ship in the English Channel was truly safe. On August 10, 1918, just three months before the war's end, the Bretagne was steaming off the coast of Cornwall with a vital cargo of coal.

Her journey was intercepted by the German submarine UB-125. The U-boat commander targeted the merchant ship, and a single torpedo was enough to cripple her. The Bretagne foundered and sank, becoming one of the last victims of the U-boat campaign in these waters. Fortunately, reports indicate that her crew were able to escape before she went down.

Lying at a depth of 24 meters, the Bretagne is now a superb and popular wreck dive. She is well broken, but her two large boilers and impressive triple-expansion engine stand proud of the seabed, providing a fantastic centerpiece for the dive. The wreckage acts as a thriving artificial reef, completely covered in a vibrant carpet of jewel anemones, plumose anemones, and dead man's fingers. It's a beautiful, colourful dive that offers a perfect blend of history and marine life.

Marine Protected Area: Lyme Bay and Torbay

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 BRETAGNE

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 BRETAGNE

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