BROOMHILL

Best months: Jul–Sep

Protected Area

South of Portland

Why dive here

With 176+ marine species recorded in the area - including blue sharks, dolphins, dwarf minke whales, humpback whales and ocean sunfish (mola mola) - BROOMHILL offers some of Cornwall & Devon's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 10-18°C, warmest July, August, September.

Best timeJul–Sep

WetsuitA 5mm wetsuit

Marine lifeBlue Sharks, Dolphins, Dwarf Minke Whales, Humpback Whales and Ocean Sunfish (Mola Mola) · 176+ species recorded

Water10-18°C · warmest July, August, September

CharacterWreck dive · max 50m

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

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.

Typical BROOMHILL Dive Profile

Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.

Safety Notes

Maximum depth 50m exceeds recreational limits (40m). Technical diving certification and equipment required.

Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.

Always perform a 3-minute safety stop at 5m before surfacing.

Today06:2717:2911h 3m daylightGolden hour 16:45

BROOMHILL Wreck History

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.