CARONI RIVER - Cornwall & Devon

The Caroni River, sunk by a mine in 1940, sits upright in around 21 metres of water off the coast of Cornwall. It's a proper British wreck, dark and silty, but with a real sense of history to it. We love a good penetration, and this tanker offers plenty of opportunities for careful exploration, especially around the engine room which is surprisingly intact. You’ll weave through beams and pipes, feeling the temperature drop a degree or two inside, the light from your torch picking out dead man’s fingers on the bulkheads. Outside, the sheer scale of the 139-metre hull is impressive. We often find conger eels peering from every nook and cranny, and the deck plates are carpeted with jewel anemones, flashes of orange and pink in the gloom. It’s a site that rewards multiple dives. Each time you’ll spot a new detail, a different gantry, or a section of superstructure you missed before. This is a dive for experienced wreck enthusiasts who appreciate the atmosphere of a cold water site and are comfortable with limited visibility. Slack water is crucial here; otherwise, the current can make navigating the interior quite challenging.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.117535, -5.033127
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
21m

Wreck History - CARONI RIVER

Year Sunk
1940
Vessel Type
tanker
Cause
mine

The SS Caroni River was a British tanker built in 1928 in Glasgow for the British Empire Steam Navigation Co., part of the famed Royal Mail Lines. Named after a river in Venezuela, the vessel was part of a fleet that connected the UK to the far reaches of its global interests. With the outbreak of the Second World War, merchant vessels like the Caroni River became vital for the war effort, but also prime targets for enemy action.

On January 20, 1940, while navigating the treacherous waters off the English coast, the Caroni River's journey came to an abrupt and violent end. The tanker struck a German-laid mine and sank, becoming one of the many early casualties of the war at sea. The wreck now lies in the English Channel at a depth of 21 meters, a common depth for many of the region's WWII wrecks.

Diving the Caroni River is a journey back in time, but one that comes with a caution. The wreck is significantly broken up, a testament to the explosion that sank it. Due to its condition and potential hazards, it has been designated as a 'Dangerous Wreck', and access may be restricted. For those with the experience and permission to explore it, the site offers a poignant look at a piece of maritime history, now patrolled by the marine life of Cornwall and Devon.

Marine Protected Area: Swanpool

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 CARONI RIVER

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 CARONI RIVER

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