wreck

Log This Dive

MAID OF ORLEANS

Diving the Maid of Orleans is a proper expedition, a deep, dark plunge into history off the Cornish coast. We’re talking a big steamship, sunk in 1944 on her way back from Normandy, and now she sits upright in 49 metres. That depth means good planning is essential; this isn't a casual dip. We love the sheer scale of her, the way the bridge superstructure rises out of the gloom, draped in plumose anemones. Inside, the machinery spaces are still surprisingly intact. You can fin past the massive turbine engines, imagining the power that once pushed her through the waves. Visibility can be hit or miss, typical for the English Channel, but when it’s good, the light penetrating the deck openings is genuinely eerie. Look for conger eels peering from every dark recess, and ling often lurk in the shadowed corners of the cargo holds. It’s a dive for experienced wreck enthusiasts who appreciate the atmosphere and the challenge. Our best tip? Go on a slack tide, otherwise, it’s a serious workout just to stay put.