James Egan Layne
The James Eagan Layne is a remarkable wreck located near the Eddystone reef, off the coast of the United Kingdom. After being hit, the ship was towed by Admiralty tugs towards Plymouth in an attempt to salvage its cargo. Unfortunately, during the journey back, the stern collapsed, causing the ship to sink in Whitsand Bay. Today, the wreck rests in an upright position on a sandy seabed, pointing north towards the shore.
Divers exploring the James Eagan Layne will be treated to an incredible underwater experience. With a visibility of approximately 7 meters, the wreck reveals itself in all its glory at a maximum depth of 20 meters. This dive site is recommended for advanced divers due to its depth and challenging conditions.
As you descend, you'll encounter a wide variety of marine life that has made the wreck its home. Along the port side, you'll find vast sheets of white anemones and dead man's fingers, adding vibrant colors to the underwater landscape. The removal of the ship's masts and funnel means that they can now be explored on the seabed, located on the port side as well.
Although much of the cargo was salvaged before the James Eagan Layne sank, remnants can still be seen in parts of the five holds. Divers will have easy access to holds number 1 and 2, where many railway rolling stock wheels are stored. Additionally, fallen decking now covers the main engine, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the dive.
Explorers should also take note of the broken stern, which lies southwest of the main wreck near hold number 5. Despite its separation, the stern section is linked to the rest of the wreck by a rope, allowing divers to easily navigate between the two.
For those looking to visit this captivating dive site, the James Eagan Layne is conveniently located near Freathy, St. John, Cornwall, in the beautiful region of South West England. With its rich history, diverse marine life, and the opportunity to witness a fascinating shipwreck in an upright position, this dive site is sure to leave a lasting impression.
Divers exploring the James Eagan Layne will be treated to an incredible underwater experience. With a visibility of approximately 7 meters, the wreck reveals itself in all its glory at a maximum depth of 20 meters. This dive site is recommended for advanced divers due to its depth and challenging conditions.
As you descend, you'll encounter a wide variety of marine life that has made the wreck its home. Along the port side, you'll find vast sheets of white anemones and dead man's fingers, adding vibrant colors to the underwater landscape. The removal of the ship's masts and funnel means that they can now be explored on the seabed, located on the port side as well.
Although much of the cargo was salvaged before the James Eagan Layne sank, remnants can still be seen in parts of the five holds. Divers will have easy access to holds number 1 and 2, where many railway rolling stock wheels are stored. Additionally, fallen decking now covers the main engine, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the dive.
Explorers should also take note of the broken stern, which lies southwest of the main wreck near hold number 5. Despite its separation, the stern section is linked to the rest of the wreck by a rope, allowing divers to easily navigate between the two.
For those looking to visit this captivating dive site, the James Eagan Layne is conveniently located near Freathy, St. John, Cornwall, in the beautiful region of South West England. With its rich history, diverse marine life, and the opportunity to witness a fascinating shipwreck in an upright position, this dive site is sure to leave a lasting impression.
Diving Conditions Score for James Egan Layne
6.3
Above AverageDecent conditions, proceed with caution.
The score is based on a calculation of the current weather and sea conditions.
Dive Site Overview for James Egan Layne
Depth
20m
Visibility
7m
Experience Level
advanced
Weather Conditions for James Egan Layne
Wave Height
0.42m
Wind Speed
3.6 m/s
Water Temp
15.6°C
Visibility
38.88km
Cloud Cover
64%
Wave Period
6.45s
Air Temperature
16.9°C
Precipitation
0 mm
Detailed 7-Day Diving Forecast for James Egan Layne
Alpha
Dive Score Chart for James Egan Layne
Best time to dive: 15:00 with score 8.36304461942257/10. Water conditions: Waves 0.34m, Wind 5.4 m/s.Best night dive time: 18:00 with score 7.768347311827958/10.
Chart showing hourly dive conditions including wave height, wind speed, water temperature, and visibility throughout the day.
Sunrise at James Egan Layne: 06:00
Sunset at James Egan Layne: 18:00
Optimal diving conditions at James Egan Layne are affected by daylight hours. Sunrise occurs at 06:00 and sunset at 18:00, which impacts visibility and water temperature for scuba diving and snorkeling.
Best Overall
15:00Score: 8.4/10
Waves: 0.34m (6.35s), Wind: 5.4 m/s
Safest Overall
7:00Score: 8.3/10
Waves: 0.42m (6.45s), Wind: 3.2 m/s
Best Night
18:00Score: 7.8/10
Waves: 0.32m, Wind: 5.8 m/s
Seasonal Analysis for James Egan LayneAlpha
Historical patterns and best seasons for diving at James Egan Layne
The dive score combines all factors to rate overall diving conditions throughout the year. Higher scores indicate better diving conditions.
Monthly Dive Score Analysis - Seasonal Diving Conditions
Higher values indicate better diving conditions
Seasonal DiveScore Chart
This chart displays monthly diveScore data throughout the year, showing seasonal patterns. The data is presented as a bar chart with an overlaid line graph.Dive scores range from 1 to 10, with 10 being optimal conditions.
Higher values indicate better diving conditions
Best Season for James Egan Layne
Winter
Avg. Score: 8.1/10
Winter offers the best overall diving conditions with calmer seas and better visibility, despite cooler temperatures.
Best Months for James Egan Layne
January
Score: 8.7
December
Score: 8.0
February
Score: 7.7
Ideal Conditions for James Egan Layne
Water Temp
18.2°C / 64.8°F
August
Visibility
15.4m / 50.5ft
January
Wave Height
0.9m / 3.0ft
January
Wave Period
8.0s
January
Seasonal Insights for James Egan Layne
James Egan Layne shows typical northern hemisphere patterns with August being the warmest month (18.2°C) and December the coldest (2.2°C). The calmest conditions typically occur in January with average wave heights of 0.9m and wave periods of 8.0s. The most comfortable wave conditions are in January with a low wave steepness ratio, creating gentler swells. January offers the longest wave periods (8.0s), creating more comfortable and predictable conditions for boat entries and exits. Ocean currents are slowest in January (0.5m/s) and strongest in January (0.5m/s). August is usually the driest month with 0.0mm of precipitation. For beginners, the best time to visit would be during January to March, when ocean conditions are calmer with long-period waves and currents are typically weaker. Experienced divers might enjoy the challenges and potentially better visibility during the shoulder seasons, with moderate currents that can improve marine life encounters.
Last updated: 1 min. ago - Jun 21, 2026
Note: This dive site is not a verified dive site. Please dive with caution. This dive site might have incorrect information by the community.
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