British Inventor (Wreck) - Cornwall & Devon

We’re big fans of the British Inventor, a classic Channel wreck that’s just right for a relaxed dive. At 21 metres, it’s not too deep, making it perfect for newer wreck divers to get a feel for things without the pressure of a big decompression profile. The ship hit a mine in 1941 and settled upright, which is a real bonus – you can still clearly make out the bow, stern, and some of the superstructure. Our favourite part is the engine room, which is often surprisingly open and full of nooks where conger eels like to coil up. Keep an eye out for them, and for the lobsters tucked into every crevice. Visibility can be a bit variable, but on a good day, the light filtering down creates some dramatic silhouettes against the kelp that’s now draped over the railings. We’d suggest diving this one on a slack tide to really appreciate its scale and avoid getting pushed around too much. It’s a proper piece of history down there, and genuinely enjoyable to explore.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.600300, -2.294100
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
21m
Difficulty
Beginner

Wreck History - British Inventor (Wreck)

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

This site comprises the main wreckage and debris field of the MV British Inventor, a tanker that struck a mine on June 13, 1940. After the explosion, the crippled ship was intentionally beached but broke her back under the strain, separating the bow from the rest of the vessel. While the larger stern section was famously salvaged and rebuilt, the forward part of the tanker and the resulting debris were left to the sea.

Lying at 21 metres, this dive site is slightly deeper than the main bow section and offers a different perspective on the same event. Here, divers can explore a wide area of wreckage, including large sections of hull plating, twisted pipework, and other structural elements that were torn from the tanker during the initial explosion and subsequent break-up. It provides a stark illustration of the vessel's violent end and is now a rich habitat for fish and crustaceans, making it a lively and interesting dive for those exploring the story of the British Inventor.

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 (Wreck)

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 (Wreck)

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