wreck

Log This Dive

MADRYN

We love a good deep wreck, and the Madryn delivers. Lying at 56 metres, this 89-metre steamship is a serious dive, but for those with the training, it’s a real reward. Dropping down, the hull gradually resolves from the blue, a huge shadow on the seabed. She went down in 1918, but a century later, she's still remarkably intact, certainly considering the depth and the often-lively conditions out here. Our favourite part is exploring the stern, where the triple-expansion engine and boilers are still very much in evidence. The prop shaft extends proudly, leading to a huge propeller that's a magnet for conger eels, some of them proper monsters. On the deck, you’ll find winches and sections of railing, draped in dead man's fingers and jewelled anemones. Visibility can be hit or miss, but on a good day, with a bit of sunlight filtering down, the scale of the Madryn is genuinely impressive. It’s a dive that demands respect, but for experienced technical divers, it’s one of Cornwall’s best deep secrets.