CARNSEW

Best months: Jul–Sep

Protected Area

Morte Platform

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) - CARNSEW 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 39m

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

There’s something about a Cornish wreck, isn't there? The Carnsew, deep off Bull Point, is a proper dive, and one we always enjoy. She’s a decent sized steamship, down at 39 metres, perfect for those comfortable with deeper decompression obligations. What hits you first, even through the often murky green, is the sheer scale. The bow points west, and you can swim right along her length, exploring the cargo holds, now home to armies of squat lobsters. We particularly love the engine room. It’s pretty intact, a tangible connection to her sudden end back in 1916. Look out for the triple-expansion engine; it’s still remarkably defined. Around the boiler, conger eels are almost guaranteed, coiled in the gloom, their eyes glinting in your torch beam. Visibility can be a challenge here, particularly after a strong south-westerly, but when it’s good, the structure is just fantastic. It’s a great site for experienced wreck divers looking for a bit of history and plenty of resident critters.

Typical CARNSEW Dive Profile

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

Safety Notes

Deep dive (39m) - monitor air consumption closely. Advanced certification recommended.

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.

Today06:3417:3511h 1m daylightGolden hour 16:50

CARNSEW Wreck History

Year Sunk

1916

Vessel Type

cargo ship

Cause

collision

The SS Carnsew was a classic British steam collier built in 1910. A workhorse of the era, she was powered by a triple-expansion engine and spent her career transporting coal. On January 14th, 1916, with the First World War raging, the Carnsew was steaming from Penarth with a full load of coal. Her end came not from a German U-boat's torpedo, but from a more common maritime peril-a collision with another vessel in the busy shipping lanes off the coast of Cornwall.

Resting at a depth of 39 meters, the Carnsew is a challenging and rewarding dive reserved for experienced divers with the appropriate training and equipment for deeper exploration. The wreck's depth limits bottom time, and the site can be subject to strong currents and variable visibility, demanding careful dive planning. Those who make the descent will find the remains of a wartime collier, where they can explore the wreckage and seek out her single boiler and engine, now home to conger eels, lobsters, and dense shoals of fish.