CAMBRIAN PRINCESS (PROBABLY) - Cornwall & Devon

The Cambrian Princess, or at least what we’re pretty sure is the Cambrian Princess, is a proper chunk of history on the seabed off Devon. She’s an iron sailing vessel, lost in 1902 after a collision, and what's left is spread across the sand at 29 metres. We love dropping down onto the bow section first; it’s largely intact and feels quite imposing, even after all these years. You can often see conger eels tucked into the deeper recesses here, their heads poking out from between the plates. Our favourite part, though, is exploring the debris field. The stern is more broken up, but it means you get to pick through scattered ribs and plates, imagining the chaos of her final moments. You’ll find squat lobsters in every nook and cranny, and if you’re patient, even a few shy anglerfish camouflaged against the rust. It’s a dive for those who appreciate the ghost of a ship and don’t mind a bit of a rummage. Visibility can be hit or miss, typical for the channel, but on a good day, the scale of her is really impressive. We always suggest bringing a good torch; it brings out the colours on the encrusting sponges and helps spot the smaller critters hiding within the structure.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.582817, -0.872183
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
29m

Wreck History - CAMBRIAN PRINCESS (PROBABLY)

Year Sunk
1902
Vessel Type
sailing vessel
Cause
storm

The Cambrian Princess was a three-masted, iron-hulled sailing barque built in 1877. A true workhorse of the final days of sail, she spent her career on demanding long-haul trade routes, connecting industrial Europe with the raw materials of the wider world. At the turn of the 20th century, ships like the Cambrian Princess were a common sight, but their era was rapidly coming to a close with the dominance of steam power.

In early 1902, the Cambrian Princess was nearing the end of a gruelling multi-month voyage from Lobos de Afuera, Peru, bound for Antwerp, Belgium. Her holds were filled with a valuable cargo of guano for use as fertilizer. As she navigated the English Channel, she was caught in a violent gale. After a long battle with the storm, the ship was overwhelmed and foundered off the Cornish coast on April 1st, 1902.

Resting at a depth of 29 metres, the Cambrian Princess is a classic dive into the age of sail. The iron hull has largely collapsed, but the wreck's outline is still clearly visible on the seabed. Divers can explore the flattened hull plates and see the unique cargo of guano, which has solidified over the century into a rock-like substance. The wreckage provides a home for abundant marine life, including conger eels, lobsters, and schools of bib, making for a scenic and atmospheric dive.

Marine Protected Area: Utopia

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 CAMBRIAN PRINCESS (PROBABLY)

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 CAMBRIAN PRINCESS (PROBABLY)

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