Also known as: Volnay
If there is a gateway wreck on the Lizard Peninsula, the Volnay is it. Nearly every visiting dive club makes her their first target, and for good reason — she sits at a forgiving 18 to 22 metres with enough structure to keep things interesting without demanding heroics. A German mine from UC-64 ended her war service in December 1917 while she carried Canadian ammunition south past the Manacles. Her two great boilers now anchor the site, rising from silty sand that conceals wooden ammunition boxes, scattered bollards, and chain. Pink sea fans have colonised the higher wreckage, adding unexpected colour to a scene that might otherwise be all rust and silt. The combination of accessible depth, reliable marine life, and a genuine wartime story makes the Volnay the wreck that hooks new divers on the Lizard.
Struck a mine laid by German submarine UC-64, two miles east-by-south of the Manacles, off Porthallow. Defensively armed merchant ship carrying ammunition and general cargo from Canada.
SS Volnay is a cargo vessel wreck located off Cornwall, United Kingdom at a depth of 22 metres. The vessel was lost due to mine in 1917. The wreck is diveable.
SS Volnay lies at 18 to 22 metres depth, Two miles east of the Manacles, off Porthallow, Lizard Peninsula.
SS Volnay struck a mine on 14 December 1917 during World War I, off Cornwall, United Kingdom.
Diving the SS Volnay is rated beginner and is suitable for newly certified Open Water divers. Minimum certification: Open Water. Recommended: Open Water.
The best months to dive SS Volnay are May, June, July, August, September. Water temperature ranges from 9°C in winter to 18°C in summer.
SS Volnay is accessed by boat from Falmouth, Cornwall, United Kingdom.
| Month | Temp | Visibility | Access | Marine life |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 9.0°C | 5.0m | poor | Minimal — winter conditions |
| Feb | 9.0°C | 5.0m | poor | Minimal — winter conditions |
| Mar | 9.5°C | 6.0m | poor | Minimal — winter conditions |
| Apr | 10.5°C | 8.0m | marginal | Moderate — season opening |
| May | 12.0°C | 12.0m | good | Good — wrasse, pollock, cuttlefish, anemones |
| Jun | 14.0°C | 15.0m | good | Good — wrasse, pollock, cuttlefish, blue sharks offshore |
| Jul | 16.0°C | 18.0m | good | Peak — basking sharks, blue sharks, sunfish, seals |
| Aug | 18.0°C | 20.0m | good | Peak — basking sharks, blue sharks, sunfish, seals |
| Sep | 17.0°C | 15.0m | good | Good — wrasse, pollock, cuttlefish, anemones |
| Oct | 14.0°C | 10.0m | marginal | Moderate — season closing |
| Nov | 11.0°C | 7.0m | poor | Minimal — winter conditions |
| Dec | 10.0°C | 5.0m | poor | Minimal — winter conditions |
2 evidence records from 2 sources.
Seabed at 21-22m depending on tide. Boilers at ~18m.
Struck mine laid by UC-64. Defensively armed merchant ship carrying ammunition and general cargo from Canada.
Two miles east of the Manacles, off Porthallow, Lizard Peninsula