CAMBRONNE - Cornwall & Devon

The Cambronne sits deep, a proper technical dive at 40 metres, and she’s a beauty for it. You’ll find her off Lundy Island, broken but still substantial for a ship of her size. We love the engine room here, easily penetrable if you’re comfortable with overhead environments, and it still feels remarkably intact. The hold is another favourite, a cavern now, filled with the shifting shapes of bib and pollack darting between the light shafts. Look for dogfish resting on the sandy bottom nearby, blending in perfectly. Our pick for timing this dive is slack water; the currents around Lundy can be fierce, making the descent and ascent a real challenge otherwise. The hull plates are thick with jewel anemones and dead man’s fingers, an explosion of colour in the beam of your torch, a stark contrast to the shadowy steel. This dive suits experienced wreck divers who appreciate a deeper challenge and the quiet solitude of a less-frequented site.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
51.152367, -4.652817
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
40m

Wreck History - CAMBRONNE

Year Sunk
1942
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
grounding

The Cambronne was a small, modern Dutch motor coaster built in 1938. Unlike the steamships of a previous era, she was powered by an oil engine, representing the future of coastal cargo transport. During the Second World War, vessels like the Cambronne were vital for moving essential supplies around the British Isles, often sailing in dangerous waters under the constant threat of enemy attack.

Despite the wartime dangers, the Cambronne's demise was not a result of enemy action. On October 10, 1942, while on a routine passage from Hayle in Cornwall to Newport in Wales, the vessel navigated too close to Lundy Island in the Bristol Channel. In challenging conditions, she struck submerged rocks and sank, becoming a victim of a simple maritime accident.

Today, the Cambronne lies at a depth of 40 metres, making her a dive reserved for experienced and suitably qualified divers. The wreck is reported to be remarkably intact and sits upright on the seabed, offering a superb subject for exploration. Due to the depth, bottom times are limited, and the site can be subject to strong currents, demanding careful dive planning. For those who can make the dive, the Cambronne offers a rewarding glimpse of a well-preserved WWII-era coaster.

Marine Protected Area: Lundy

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 CAMBRONNE

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 CAMBRONNE

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