wreck

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HMS KINGSTON CAIRNGORM (POSSIBLY)

We’re being a bit cheeky here with the "possibly" in the name, but trust us, whatever this wreck is, it’s a cracking dive. At 43 metres, the HMS Kingston Cairngorm (or her doppelgänger) is a proper technical dive, sitting upright and largely intact. The bow is particularly impressive, rising from the seabed like a ghost ship, often draped in fishing nets, which adds to the drama (and the challenge – stay aware). This trawler, likely mined in 1940, holds a real sense of history. We’ve spent hours tracing the deck, peering into what would have been the holds, and trying to imagine the crew's last moments. The triple-expansion engine is a magnificent sight, heavily encrusted now, but you can still make out its powerful form. Our favourite part has to be the gun turret; it’s still there, pointing outwards, a silent sentinel against the grey North Atlantic. Look for conger eels here, they love the dark recesses. Visibility can be hit-or-miss, as is typical for Cornwall, but when it’s good, the light filtering down through the water column onto the wreck is simply ethereal. We’ve seen schools of pollack shimmering around the superstructure, and the anemones that have colonised every surface are surprisingly vibrant. It’s a dive that demands respect, perfect for experienced wreck divers who appreciate a genuinely atmospheric piece of maritime history. Dive it on slack water, always.