LONDON TRADER (POSSIBLY) - Cornwall & Devon

The **London Trader**, or what we strongly suspect is her, offers a deep, moody dive that’s all about the history. Down at 58 metres, you’re definitely in technical territory here, so plan your gas and deco accordingly. When we’ve been, the visibility is typically *very* British, hovering around 5-10 metres, but that just adds to the atmosphere as you descend into the gloom. She’s a steel-hulled steamship, built in 1934, and went down in July 1940. The wreck is pretty broken up, but you can still pick out the lines of the hull and the impressive boiler, which is always our favourite part to explore. Look closely in the nooks and crannies of the plates; we’ve often found conger eels tucked away, their heads peering out. Shoals of bib and pouting will flicker through the superstructure, and if you bring a good light, the colours of the jewel anemones clinging to the metal are striking. This isn't a dive for coral gardens; it’s a dive for wreck enthusiasts who appreciate the silent, cold beauty of a piece of history. Best dived on slack water, obviously.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.599033, -0.302583
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
58m

Marine Protected Area: Kingmere

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 LONDON TRADER (POSSIBLY)

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 LONDON TRADER (POSSIBLY)

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