HEMSLEY 1 - Cornwall & Devon

The Hemsley 1 isn't your typical pretty reef dive, but we love it for its sheer historical grit. This old tanker, built in 1916, truly feels like a slice of maritime history frozen in time. She ran aground back in '69 on her way to the breakers, so you're seeing the end of her working life, not some dramatic wartime sinking. What you get is a really broken-up wreck, scattered across the seabed, which means plenty of nooks and crannies to poke around in. The hull plates are draped in dead man's fingers and colourful jewel anemones, creating these incredible textured tapestries. Ling often lurk in the deeper sections, and you’ll spot wrasse darting between the twisted metal. We'd suggest going at slack water to avoid any strong currents, as the visibility can be a bit challenging at times, but on a good day, the light filtering through the wreckage is quite something. It’s a dive for those who appreciate the stories ships tell, and don't mind getting up close with some real industrial archaeology.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.523884, -5.030224
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
0m

Marine Protected Area: Trevose Head and Constantine Bay

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 HEMSLEY 1

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 HEMSLEY 1

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