wreck

Log This Dive

ESPAGNE

The Espagne, off the coast of Cornwall, is a cracking dive, especially if you’ve got a soft spot for big, broken bits of history. Sunk on Christmas Day in 1917, this 71.9m Belgian steamship now lies in about 35 metres, a real deep dive. We love the way she’s sprawled across the seabed, almost as if she’s telling a story of her final moments. You’ll find her two huge boilers standing proud, a real focal point, and the triple expansion engine is still mostly intact, an impressive feat of engineering just sitting there. Visibility here can be a bit of a lottery, as it often is in the Channel, but on a good day, when the light penetrates, it’s a properly atmospheric dive. Look for the schools of pollack darting through the superstructure, and the resident conger eels often peek out from behind the plates. Our favourite part is exploring the twisted metal of the bow section, where the wreck has really begun to break up, creating interesting little swim-throughs for the confident diver. It’s a site for experienced divers comfortable with depth and potentially strong currents, but the rewards are significant. Bring a good torch and take your time; there’s a lot to see.