wreck

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HMS CRESTFLOWER

The HMS *Crestflower* is one of those wrecks we keep coming back to off the Cornish coast. At 36 metres, it’s a solid dive, perfect for those comfortable with a bit of depth and maybe some low visibility, which, let’s be honest, is part of the charm here. This converted trawler, sunk by German aircraft in 1940, lies largely intact on a silty seabed. We love dropping down onto her deck, the dark outline slowly resolving into a proper ship, not just a pile of rubble. You’ll find her upright, making for a really satisfying exploration. The superstructure offers plenty to peek into – we often see conger eels tucked into the shadowed doorways. Look for the single boiler standing proud midships; it’s a fantastic photo op when the light penetrates, even dimly. Around the stern, the propeller is often still visible, encrusted with dead man’s fingers and hydroids. Schools of pollack frequently mill around the mast, and we’ve even spotted John Dory hovering close to the seabed here, their distinctive spot almost glowing in the gloom. It’s a dive that rewards patient searching and a keen eye for history.