JAMES B RICHARDSON - Cornwall & Devon

The James B Richardson isn’t for the faint-hearted. Lying in the often-chilly, murky waters off Cornwall, this wreck is a big beast of a steamship, measuring over 130 meters. What we really love about this site is the sheer scale of the thing. You drop down, and the hull just looms out of the green gloom – it’s a proper dive into history, lost to thick fog back in the day. Exploring the superstructure is where the real fun begins. You can poke around the remains, feeling the cold steel, imagining the crew on deck. Visibility can be a challenge here, often only a few meters, so a good torch is essential for cutting through the murk and picking out the details. Despite the low light, plenty of conger eels have made the deeper recesses their home, and we’ve seen some huge spider crabs scuttling across the plates. It’s a dive that rewards careful navigation and an appreciation for dramatic, atmospheric wrecks, rather than colourful corals. This is one for experienced divers who enjoy a bit of an adventure and the thrill of discovery.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
49.688820, -1.739348
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
0m

Marine Protected Area: Les Ecrehous

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 JAMES B RICHARDSON

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 JAMES B RICHARDSON

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