LORNASTON (POSSIBLY) - Cornwall & Devon

The *Lornaston* holds a certain kind of solemn beauty. We love diving a wreck that tells such a clear story, and this steamship, torpedoed in 1945, certainly does. Dropping down to 52 metres, you’re enveloped by the deep, green embrace of the English Channel. It’s a site for experienced divers, no doubt, demanding good buoyancy and comfort with depth. We’ve always been drawn to how intact she is for a wartime casualty. Her sheer scale, 124 metres long, makes for an impressive dive, and you can still trace the outline of her bridge structure, though time and currents have done their work. Keep an eye out for the big conger eels tucked into the deeper recesses and the nudibranchs that pepper the plating, especially around the bow. Our favourite approach is to drop onto the stern and work our way forward, letting the current, if it’s mild, carry us gently over the main deck. It’s a proper expedition, and surfacing after a dive here, you always feel like you’ve touched a piece of history.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.598500, -0.039633
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
52m

Marine Protected Area: Beachy Head West

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 LORNASTON (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 LORNASTON (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