Also known as: Persier, War Buffalo
Originally launched in the closing months of World War I as War Buffalo, the Persier spent her interwar years under the Belgian flag before the next conflict caught up with her. In February 1945, a torpedo struck her port side while she sailed in convoy just three miles from Eddystone. She limped into Bigbury Bay and grounded on a reef, where she remains today between 18 and 28 metres. Discovered in 1969 by Plymouth Sound BSAC members, she became a closely guarded local favourite before word spread to the wider diving community. At nearly 122 metres long she is a substantial wreck, and the virtual absence of tidal current at the site means she can be dived at any state of tide — a rare luxury on the Devon coast. Her hull sections, boilers and machinery provide hours of exploration across multiple dives.
Torpedoed on the port side while part of a convoy, 3 nautical miles from Eddystone. Grounded on a reef in Bigbury Bay midway between Plymouth and Salcombe. Originally launched as War Buffalo in February 1918.
SS Persier is a cargo vessel wreck located off Devon, United Kingdom at a depth of 28 metres. The vessel was lost due to torpedo in 1945. The wreck is diveable.
SS Persier lies at 18 to 28 metres depth, Bigbury Bay, midway between Plymouth and Salcombe, Devon.
SS Persier was torpedoed on 11 February 1945 during World War II, off Devon, United Kingdom.
Diving the SS Persier is rated intermediate and is suitable for divers with an Advanced Open Water certification or equivalent. Minimum certification: PADI AOWD / BSAC Sports Diver. Recommended: PADI AOWD / BSAC Sports Diver.
The best months to dive SS Persier are April, May, June, July, August, September, October. Water temperature ranges from 8°C in winter to 18°C in summer.
SS Persier is accessed by boat from Plymouth, Devon, United Kingdom.
| Month | Temp | Visibility | Access | Marine life |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 8.0°C | 5.0m | poor | Minimal — winter conditions |
| Feb | 8.5°C | 5.0m | poor | Minimal — winter conditions |
| Mar | 9.0°C | 6.0m | marginal | Moderate — season starting |
| Apr | 10.5°C | 7.0m | good | Moderate — spider crabs arriving |
| May | 12.0°C | 9.0m | good | Good — pollack, wrasse, spider crabs, cuttlefish |
| Jun | 14.0°C | 11.0m | good | Good — pollack, wrasse, spider crabs, cuttlefish |
| Jul | 16.0°C | 13.0m | good | Peak — large shoals, conger eels, spider crab aggregations, cuttlefish |
| Aug | 18.0°C | 15.0m | good | Peak — large shoals, conger eels, spider crab aggregations, cuttlefish |
| Sep | 17.0°C | 12.0m | good | Good — pollack, wrasse, spider crabs, cuttlefish |
| Oct | 14.0°C | 8.0m | good | Good — pollack, wrasse, conger eels |
| Nov | 11.0°C | 6.0m | marginal | Minimal — winter conditions |
| Dec | 9.0°C | 5.0m | poor | Minimal — winter conditions |
2 evidence records from 2 sources.
Bow at 18m (highest point), seabed at 28m. Discovered May 1969 by Plymouth Sound BSAC. Diveable at any tide state, negligible current.
Belgian cargo steamer. Torpedoed on port side while in convoy, 3nm from Eddystone, 11 February 1945. Grounded in Bigbury Bay. Launched as War Buffalo.
Bigbury Bay, midway between Plymouth and Salcombe, Devon