JOHN O'SCOTT - Cornwall & Devon

The John O’Scott, a coal steamer torpedoed in 1918, lies quietly at 52 metres off the Cornish coast. We love this wreck for its sheer scale and the way it’s settled on the seabed, offering proper penetration opportunities if you’re suitably trained. Drop down the shot line and you’ll find the bow section rearing up, often shrouded in a shoal of pout, their eyes reflecting your torch beam. Swim along the deck, past the two massive boilers, and you get a real sense of its former life. Our favourite spot is the engine room, where you can often spot conger eels tucked into crevices, their heads slowly swaying. The visibility here can be truly exceptional on a good day, easily 15 to 20 metres, letting you appreciate the wreck’s full silhouette against the gloomy deep. This isn't a dive for the faint of heart or the inexperienced; it's a deep, dark plunge into history, best suited for technical divers who appreciate the solemn beauty of a well-preserved wreck far below the surface.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.533882, -5.276033
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
52m

Marine Protected Area: Trevose Head

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 JOHN O'SCOTT

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 JOHN O'SCOTT

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