There’ll be a talk and artefacts on view, followed by a dive on the protected site.
The 90-gun Second Rate warship, sunk in 1691 with the loss of 600 lives, lies in 16m of water off Penlee Point. It was one of the first wrecks to be designated under the Protection of Wrecks Act 1973.
Remains lie in two areas, 800m apart, and the new trail goes around the most offshore of them. This area holds seventeen guns, from small cannon to larger pieces nearly 4m long, and three large anchors.
Further debris includes cannonballs and ironwork, largely concreted into a seafloor of rock and sand.
The inshore site has 59 guns and another three anchors. The diving is more difficult here, with extensive kelp coverage.
The aim of the offshore site trail, says Visitor Licensee Mark Pearce, has been to provide “non-invasive but informative access to the offshore site...for the enjoyment of any divers who would wish to visit”.
The open day, run at Bovisand Dive Centre, will feature a talk by Peter McBride, one of the finders of the Coronation. He will display artefacts which are rarely seen in public.
“Following the talk, we will head out to the site and enjoy a dive on the wreck, using the guides and the tour trail,” says Pearce.
With just under two weeks to go to the event, those wishing to dive are asked to register as soon as possible, as Pearce needs to issue visitor licenses to those taking part.
Both for the open day and subsequently, applications to dive on the Coronation can be made via the official website www.coronationwreck.co.uk.
“We now have about 450 divers from 55 clubs who have registered to dive the site,” says Pearce.
Related links
No action over dive near protected site
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