wreck

Log This Dive

DONEGAL (POSSIBLY)

We've always had a soft spot for the Donegal, even with the slightly ominous "possibly" tacked onto its name. This isn't a shallow splash; she sits at 48m, demanding respect and good planning, but what a reward. As you descend through the often green Cornish water, the scale of her starts to emerge, a real shadow on the seabed. She was a passenger steamship, later a hospital ship, and you can sense that history down there. The wreck itself is remarkably intact for her age and circumstances. We love exploring the bow section, often finding conger eels poking curious heads from portholes that once let light into passenger cabins. Her engine room is a highlight, with the triple-expansion engine still a commanding presence, encrusted now with jewel anemones and dead man's fingers. Visibility can vary wildly here, but on a good day, when the light penetrates, the sight of schools of pollack shimmering above the superstructure is something special. This is definitely one for experienced divers who appreciate historical wrecks and aren't put off by the depth or the typically cooler UK waters.