BRITANNIA (PROBABLY) - Cornwall & Devon

Let's talk about the Britannia. She’s often called "Probably the Britannia" for a reason – positive ID has been a bit of a saga, but frankly, when you’re down there, you don't care much about the paperwork. This wreck, a steamship sunk in 1917, lies at a solid 37 metres, making it one for divers comfortable with a bit of depth and colder water. What we love about her is the sheer scale. At 64 metres long, she’s substantial, and despite the years, much of her structure is still recognisable. You’ll fin along her decks, spotting the huge boilers, and often, the prop shaft stretching towards the stern. The wreck has become a fantastic artificial reef. Our last visit saw huge schools of pollack swirling in and out of the hold openings, and we always find conger eels tucked into shadowy corners. Look closely at the deck plating, too; it’s usually covered in jewel anemones, tiny bursts of colour in the ambient light. Visibility can be hit or miss in the English Channel, so pick your day – slack water on a neap tide is always our preference to avoid a wild ride. The currents here can be fierce, making a drift across the wreck a possibility if you misjudge it, but equally, they bring in plenty of food for the resident fish. She’s a proper wreck dive, full of history and marine life, perfect for those who appreciate the chill of a good British dive.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.472126, -1.746635
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
37m

Wreck History - BRITANNIA (PROBABLY)

Year Sunk
1917
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
torpedo
Tonnage
1,114 GRT

The SS Britannia was a steamship built in 1885 by S & H Morton & Co. in Leith for the Leith, Hull & Hamburg Steam Packet Co. For over 30 years, she served as a reliable cargo vessel, plying the trade routes between the UK and continental Europe, a typical workhorse of her time.

Her peaceful career came to an end during the height of World War I. On October 19, 1917, while on a voyage from Middlesbrough to Italy carrying a vital cargo of steel, she entered a mined area. The Britannia struck a mine laid by the German submarine UC-75 and sank quickly, becoming another casualty of the unrestricted naval warfare that defined the era.

Today, the wreck of the Britannia rests at a depth of 37 metres. As is common for a vessel of its age that sank violently, it is substantially broken up. Divers can still easily identify the most robust parts of the ship, including the large boilers and the compound engine, which stand proud of the seabed. Sections of hull plating and the scattered steel cargo provide further points of interest on a dive that connects directly with the maritime history of WWI.

Marine Protected Area: Albert Field

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 (PROBABLY)

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 (PROBABLY)

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