CAMBERWELL - Cornwall & Devon

Camberwell, down in Cornwall, is one of those wrecks that really sticks with you. She's a big old steamship, 112 metres of her, sitting upright and mostly intact on a sandy seabed at 27 metres. We love that you can still make out her original shape – the bow points north, and her stern is home to three massive boilers, still standing proud. Dropping down, you feel the sheer scale of her, the way the light filters through the structure. This isn’t a rummage wreck; it's an exploration. We like to start at the bow, poking around the mast and the foredeck, often finding conger eels peering out from gaps. Midships, the cargo holds are open, a little dark, but the beams of your torch pick out schooling bib and pollack darting through. The triple-expansion engine is also a highlight, a really impressive piece of industrial history. Our favourite part has to be the stern, though. Those three boilers are like apartment blocks for critters, covered in jewel anemones and dead man’s fingers. Visibility can be a bit of a gamble, but on a good day, it's easily 10-15 metres, and the current is usually manageable. It’s a dive for those who appreciate history and don't mind a bit of a deeper profile.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.592068, -1.053417
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
27m

Wreck History - CAMBERWELL

Year Sunk
1917
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
torpedo
Tonnage
4,078 GRT

The SS Camberwell was a 4,078-ton steamship built in 1903 by the prolific J. L. Thompson & Sons shipyard in Sunderland. As part of the Well Line Ltd. fleet, she was a workhorse of the British Merchant Navy, tasked with the perilous job of transporting cargo through hostile waters during the First World War.

On May 18, 1917, her vital service came to a violent end. While on passage off the Isle of Wight, she was targeted by the German submarine UC-36. A torpedo slammed into her hull, and the Camberwell sank beneath the waves, one of over 2,500 Allied merchant and fishing vessels lost to U-boat attacks that year. Her loss was a stark reminder of the immense price paid by civilian mariners during the conflict.

Lying at a depth of 27 meters, the wreck of the Camberwell is a popular and rewarding dive. Her massive structure is largely collapsed but still recognizable. The most prominent features are her three large boilers, which stand proud of the seabed, and the impressive triple-expansion engine. The surrounding wreckage provides a complex and interesting habitat that is now home to an abundance of marine life, including conger eels, lobsters, and dense shoals of bib.

Marine Protected Area: Bonchurch Landslips

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 CAMBERWELL

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 CAMBERWELL

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the typical depth range for diving the Camberwell wreck?
The Camberwell wreck is typically found at a depth of 27 meters. This makes it an accessible dive for those comfortable with moderate depths.
What kind of marine life and historical artifacts can divers expect to see on the SS Camberwell wreck?
Divers exploring the SS Camberwell wreck can expect to encounter historical artifacts from this steam ship vessel, which was built in 1903 and sank on May 18, 1917. Key features include its three boilers, triple expansion engine, and single shaft, offering a glimpse into early 20th-century maritime engineering. While specific marine life isn't detailed in the site information, wrecks often become vibrant artificial reefs, which you can learn more about in our wildlife database.
How challenging is diving the SS Camberwell wreck, and is it suitable for all experience levels?
Diving the SS Camberwell wreck is classified as an intermediate difficulty dive. Due to its classification as a "Dangerous wreck" and its depth, it is not suitable for all experience levels and is best undertaken by divers with appropriate training and experience.
What are the optimal times of year or conditions for diving the Camberwell wreck to ensure good visibility?
The provided data for the Camberwell wreck does not specify optimal times of year or conditions for ensuring good visibility. For general guidance on planning your dives in the region, you might consult our When to Dive section.
What scuba diving certifications are required or recommended to dive the SS Camberwell wreck?
Given that the SS Camberwell wreck is an intermediate difficulty dive at 27 meters and classified as a "Dangerous wreck," an Advanced Open Water certification or equivalent is highly recommended. Divers should also have experience with wreck diving or consider specialized equipment and training for such sites.
What are the typical underwater currents and visibility conditions like at the SS Camberwell dive site?
The available data for the SS Camberwell dive site does not include specific details regarding typical underwater currents or visibility conditions. Divers planning to visit this site should consult local dive operators for the most current conditions in Cornwall & Devon.