HMS Brazen - Cornwall & Devon

We’ve always had a soft spot for the HMS Brazen, and not just because of its dramatic end. This destroyer, sunk in 1940 after a collision, lies in two main sections, and that split really adds to the exploration. The bow section is our favourite part, upright and still holding its shape, especially the forward gun which is often draped in dead man’s fingers. Swimming through the midships, you can feel the impact that tore her apart. It’s a bit of a debris field but look closely and you’ll spot ammunition casings and other small remnants of her service. The stern section, while more broken up, still reveals machinery and the rudder. We've often found conger eels lurking in the deeper recesses here, and the wreck overall is home to plenty of wrasse and pollock darting through the superstructure. Visibility can be a typical Cornish mixed bag, so pick a calm day with good tides for the best experience. It’s a solid dive for those comfortable with wreck penetration, offering a genuinely engaging historical exploration.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
51.056503, 1.242828
Type
wreck

Marine Protected Area: Dover-Folkestone

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 HMS Brazen

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 HMS Brazen

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