wreck

Log This Dive

LORD STONEHAVEN

The Lord Stonehaven is a deep, dramatic dive, one that truly separates the seasoned wreck divers from the sightseers. Dropping down to 58 metres, you’re looking at serious decompression obligations, so we’re talking technical diving territory here. But for those with the training, it’s absolutely worth the effort. This trawler, torpedoed by an E-boat in 1942, sits upright and largely intact, a somber monument to wartime history. We love the way the wreck is almost completely overgrown now, especially around the bow and stern sections. It’s a riot of plumose anemones, dead man’s fingers, and colourful sponges, all thriving in the cool, nutrient-rich Cornish waters. Look closely and you’ll often spot conger eels peeking out from the darker recesses, and we’ve seen some decent lobsters tucked into the debris. The wheelhouse is a highlight, though it’s started to collapse a bit, adding to that eerie, sunken atmosphere. Our tip for this one: pick your slack carefully. Any current at this depth can make for a miserable, energy-sapping dive. When it’s calm, the visibility can be surprisingly good for the UK, sometimes pushing 15 metres, which really makes the scale of the wreck pop into view. This is a dive for those who appreciate history, deep wrecks, and the quiet colonisation of steel by marine life.