WAR KNIGHT - Cornwall & Devon

The War Knight is a monster of a wreck, a genuine standout for UK diving, especially if you catch it on a calm day. Built in 1917, she was a substantial steamship at 125 metres long before a mine sent her down in 1918. We love how much of her remains, spread across the seabed in a truly impressive debris field. It’s a shallow dive, maxing out at 10 metres, so you get plenty of bottom time to explore the massive plates and twisted metal. You’ll feel the sheer scale of the ship as you fin over the collapsed structure, imagining the force that ripped her apart. Our favourite sections are the three huge boilers, often swarming with schools of bib and pollack, so thick they almost obscure the metal. Look closely in the nooks and crannies for velvet swimming crabs, their red eyes staring back at you. We've even spotted a conger eel or two tucked away in the bigger holes. This site suits divers who appreciate historical wrecks and aren't afraid of a bit of an archaeological puzzle. Visibility can be hit or miss, typical for the UK, but on a good day, the light filtering through the kelp-draped steel is just something else. It’s a proper delve into maritime history.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.665950, -1.518733
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
10m

Marine Protected Area: Colwell Bay

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 WAR KNIGHT

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 WAR KNIGHT

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