reef

Log This Dive

HMS Pomone

The HMS Pomone, grounded off The Manacles in 1811, gives us a proper glimpse into nautical history. This isn't a single, intact wreck. Instead, she’s scattered across the seabed, an archaeological site really, with parts of her hull and timbers strewn about. We love picking through the debris field, imagining the chaos of the wrecking, the sheer power of the sea against a wooden ship. The fragmented nature means you're always discovering something new, perhaps a cannon peeking out from the sand, or some lead sheathing revealing itself after a scour. Among the scattered ribs and plating, life thrives. Congers find perfect bolt holes in the deeper sections, their heads poking out with a wary stare. Butterfly blennies flit between the wreckage, a flash of colour against the darkened timbers, and we often spot Devonshire cup corals clinging to the more stable pieces of hull. This site suits divers who appreciate history and enjoy a bit of an archaeological treasure hunt rather than a complete structure. Dive it on a calm day, ideally on a slack tide, to really take your time examining the details and appreciating the scale of the wrecking.