BRITANNIA (POSSIBLY) - Cornwall & Devon

The Britannia, or what we strongly suspect is her, offers a deep dive for those comfortable with technical profiles. Dropping to 54 metres, this steamship wreck, built in 1883, presents a substantial structure for exploration. We love the way the light filters down, even at this depth, revealing the ship's bones, encrusted with a thick layer of plumose anemones that shimmer in the torch beam. You can pick out the massive compound inverted engine, still largely intact, and the single shaft stretching back. Visibility here can be surprisingly good on a calm day, and we've spent hours tracing the outline of her 91.4-metre length, imagining her final moments in 1884. Keep an eye out for conger eels peering from dark recesses, and those vivid orange jewel anemones that add splashes of colour to the monochrome depths. This is a dive for experienced wreck enthusiasts, a proper deep plunge into history, and our pick for a challenging yet rewarding exploration off the Cornish coast.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.337967, -2.444633
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
54m

Wreck History - BRITANNIA (POSSIBLY)

Year Sunk
1884
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
unknown

The story of the steamship Britannia is one of tragic brevity. Built in 1883 by M. Pearse & Co. in Stockton-on-Tees, the brand-new vessel had a remarkably short career. Just over a year after its launch, on July 31, 1884, it sank off the coast of Devon. The exact cause of its loss is not recorded, leaving a mystery for the technical divers who venture down to its final resting place today. The wreck's uncertain identity, marked as 'Britannia (Possibly)', only adds to its allure.

Lying at a depth of 54 meters, this is a serious dive reserved for experienced technical or extended-range divers with the necessary training and equipment for decompression. Those who make the descent are rewarded with the sight of a classic Victorian-era steamship. Divers can identify key features like its compound inverted engine, a testament to the engineering of the time. The depth has helped preserve the wreck, making it an atmospheric and challenging dive into late 19th-century maritime history.

Marine Protected Area: South of Portland

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 BRITANNIA (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 BRITANNIA (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