wreck

Log This Dive

HMS Prince Leopold

The HMS Prince Leopold, off the coast of Cornwall, feels less like a wreck and more like an archaeological dig in progress. We love how the kelp drapes over the remaining hull sections, swaying with the surge, giving the whole site a wild, untamed feel. It's not a single, intact vessel, rather a scattering of substantial pieces spread across the seabed, testament to the sheer force that broke her apart. Exploring here means finning from one large section of twisted metal to another, often finding curious conger eels peeking from the gloom. The visibility can be a bit hit or miss, typical for these waters, but on a good day, the light filters through the kelp forest, illuminating bursts of jewel anemones clinging to the darker recesses of the wreck. This site is definitely for those who appreciate history and the way the sea reclaims its own, rather than divers seeking perfect coral gardens. Keep an eye out for dogfish resting amongst the debris, they’re surprisingly common here. We think it’s best dived on a calm day, ideally around slack water, to truly appreciate the scale of the wreckage.