BRITISH COMMERCE - Cornwall & Devon

The *British Commerce* is one of those deeper wrecks that really gets under your skin, a proper adventure. Lying upright at 49 metres, she’s an iron sailing ship, over 75 metres long, and has been down since 1883. We love how intact she is for her age and depth, with her bowsprit still pointing north, making for a dramatic descent. You’ll spend most of your bottom time exploring the holds, which are surprisingly open, or tracing the line of her massive mast steps. It’s a dark site, even on a sunny day, so good lights are essential to pick out the details – the twisted metal, the scattered cargo, and the thick carpets of plumose anemones that coat every surface. Our favourite part has to be finning along her deck line, imagining the sheer scale of the ship before she met the *County of Abe*. Big conger eels are everywhere, lurking in every crevice, and the sheer number of jewel anemones clinging to the ironwork is remarkable. This dive is best suited for experienced wreck divers comfortable with deco obligations and colder water. A slack tide dive is non-negotiable here; the currents can rip. We’d suggest a trimix fill to properly appreciate her without rushing.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.195600, -0.787133
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
49m

Wreck History - BRITISH COMMERCE

Year Sunk
1883
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
collision
Tonnage
1,518 GRT

The British Commerce was a proud, full-rigged iron sailing ship built in 1874 by Dobie & Co. of Glasgow. A product of the golden age of sail, she was a large vessel designed for the demanding long-haul trade routes to the far corners of the British Empire. At the time of her loss, she was owned by W. Thomas of Liverpool and was embarking on a major voyage from London to Melbourne, Australia.

On the night of April 24, 1883, while still in UK waters, disaster struck. The British Commerce was involved in a catastrophic collision with another sailing vessel, the Welsh barque 'County of Selkirk'. The impact was fatal, and the grand iron ship, laden with a general cargo for the colonies, slipped beneath the waves.

Lying at a depth of 49 metres, the British Commerce is a fantastic but challenging dive reserved for experienced and technical divers. The wreck sits upright on the seabed, and its iron hull is remarkably intact, presenting a ghostly silhouette of a bygone era. Divers can explore the ship's elegant lines, peer into the cargo holds, and admire the remaining elements of the deck and rigging. The depth often provides excellent visibility, making a dive on this historic sailing ship a truly atmospheric and memorable experience.

Marine Protected Area: Dolphin Head Highly Protected Marine Area

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 BRITISH COMMERCE

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 BRITISH COMMERCE

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