BROOMHILL - Cornwall & Devon

Broomhill is one of those deeper wrecks that really rewards the effort. Dropping down, the visibility in this part of Lyme Bay can be fickle, but when it’s good, the sheer size of the Broomhill emerges from the gloom. She’s a collier, sunk by a mine in 1917, and you can still feel the history – the deck plates are often encrusted with dead man's fingers, and huge plumose anemones sway from any upward-facing surface. We love the penetration into the engine room, if you’re properly trained and equipped for it; the triple-expansion engine is still largely intact. Even if you stay outside, there are so many nooks and crannies to poke your head into. Look out for conger eels peering from pipes and the occasional anglerfish nestled amongst the kelp that grows on the higher sections. This is a dive for experienced wreck enthusiasts, no question. The depth means you need to be mindful of your bottom time, and the currents can pick up, so we always plan our dive for slack water. It’s a proper expedition, and you’ll often have the whole wreck to yourself, which is a rare treat.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.406980, -2.622126
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
50m

Wreck History - BROOMHILL

Year Sunk
1917
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
unknown

The SS Broomhill was a modern collier, built in 1909 to transport coal for the Broomhill Collieries Ltd. For eight years, she faithfully plied the coastal routes, a workhorse of British industry. Her service was cut short on May 10, 1917, during the height of the First World War's submarine campaign against British shipping. While the official records are sparse on the cause, her sinking in the active waters between Cornwall and Devon strongly suggests she was another casualty of a U-boat attack, sent to the bottom without warning.

Today, the Broomhill is a classic deep wreck dive, lying at a depth of 50 meters. This site is for experienced divers who are comfortable with depth and decompression. The reward is a substantial and fascinating wreck to explore. Key features for divers are the ship's two large boilers and the impressive triple-expansion engine, all of which stand proud of the seabed. After more than a century underwater, these powerful pieces of engineering are now beautifully encrusted with marine life, creating a stunning artificial reef.

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 BROOMHILL

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 BROOMHILL

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