BRITISH INVENTOR (BOW SECTION) - Cornwall & Devon

The *British Inventor* bow section is our favourite of the two halves. It’s sitting upright, around 19 metres, giving it a much more intact feel than the stern. We love how the bow points north, almost as if still trying to make its journey up the coast. Dropping down, you’ll quickly see the sheer scale of the tanker, especially those massive anchor chains still draped over the bow. The wreck itself is home to some seriously chunky conger eels tucked into every nook and cranny. Keep an eye out for them peering from collapsed sections. Dead man’s fingers coral grows in thick, white clumps, contrasting with the dark steel, and the shoals of pollock are often so dense they make the surface light ripple. We’d suggest a slack water dive here, as the currents can pick up, making it a bit of a workout. It’s a great dive for anyone keen on exploring a substantial piece of maritime history, not just another pile of scattered metal.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.590466, -2.307467
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
19m

Wreck History - BRITISH INVENTOR (BOW SECTION)

Year Sunk
1940
Vessel Type
tanker
Cause
torpedo
Tonnage
7,006 GRT

The MV British Inventor was a motor tanker built in 1926 for the British Tanker Company, a key part of Britain's merchant navy. When World War II began, she was tasked with the perilous duty of transporting vital fuel supplies across hostile seas to keep the war effort going.

On June 13, 1940, while en route from Abadan, Persia, to the Hamble with a full cargo of fuel oil, she struck a German mine off St. Alban's Head. The powerful explosion tore a huge hole in her forward section. In a desperate attempt to save the ship and her valuable cargo, she was beached on Lulworth Banks. The damage was too great, however, and the vessel broke in two. In a remarkable feat of wartime salvage, the entire stern section was refloated and towed to port, where it was later fitted with a brand new bow and re-entered service as the 'British Vindicator'. The original, severed bow was abandoned.

This wreck site is that original bow section, which now rests in just 19 metres of water. It's an excellent and highly accessible dive, perfect for all levels of diver. The bow lies on its side, and its sheer size is impressive up close. Divers can explore the foredeck, peer into the chain locker, and examine the twisted, torn metal where the mine detonated, a fascinating and tangible piece of WWII history.

Marine Protected Area: Studland to 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 BRITISH INVENTOR (BOW SECTION)

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 INVENTOR (BOW SECTION)

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