CHATBURN (POSSIBLY) - Cornwall & Devon

The Chatburn, a steamer sunk by a U-boat in 1917, is one of those deeper wrecks that really rewards a planned dive. We love the sheer scale of it, sitting upright on the seabed at 57 metres, its structure largely intact despite the century it’s spent down there. Dropping onto the bridge area, you can still trace the outline of the vessel, feeling the cold, dark water around you as you descend. Our favourite part is exploring the holds, often filled with conger eels – some of them huge – tucked into every crevice. You’ll also find spider crabs scuttling across the deck plates and nudibranchs clinging to the superstructure. This is a dive for experienced technical divers, those comfortable with deeper profiles and the conditions the English Channel can throw at you. Go on a slack tide, obviously, but also look for a day with minimal surface swell; the long ascent can get uncomfortable otherwise. It’s a proper piece of history down there, a somber reminder of a different time, and always worth the effort.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
49.957400, -0.938700
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
57m

Marine Protected Area: Dolphin Head Highly Protected Marine Area

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 CHATBURN (POSSIBLY)

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 CHATBURN (POSSIBLY)

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