Dive Site Info: James Egan Layne

Dive Site: James Egan Layne
Location: 50°19.54N; 4°14.65W
Description: 7,000 ton wreck
Length: 130 metres (427 feet)
Depth: 24 metres (79 feet)


The James Egan Layne is perhaps one of the best known dive sites in the UK. She offers a very rewarding dive with a fantastic abundance of life against a backdrop of an impressive and still intact bow section that is a photographers dream.

The James Egan Layne was a “Liberty” ship that was torpedoed by a German U-Boat in March 1945 close to the infamous Eddystone reef. In an attempt to save the ship she was towed towards Plymouth, but only made it to Whitsand Bay where her stern gave way and she sank. She now lies upright, fairly broken up with her mast and funnel lying on the port side.

Liberty ships were built by the Americans to help supply food, vehicles and other equipment to the then beleaguered British Isles and the American troops. At the height of the World War II there was a period when more cargo ships were being sunk than could be built to replace them. To counter this problem the Americans developed a means of welding that allowed them to build the 400 feet long, 7000 ton Liberty ships in 24 hours. Notably the ships were built almost exclusively by a female workforce.

The wreck site is very close to that of the HMS Scylla though she is much deeper into the clutches of the seas ability to reclaim whatever arrives on her bottom. Consequently she makes a great comparative dive to the newer wreck and the level of additional plant and fish life is obvious immediately.

On out last dive the skipper put us down a shot line on the bows to a depth of 23 metres. From the sea bed it is possible to look at the silhouette of the bow which sets you up with an inspiring start to your exploration. The hull is covered in Deadman’s fingers and anemones and it is worth fining along the port side to really capture this abundant panorama. You will also see the normal selection of Bib, Pouting Pollack and Wrasse together with Tompot Blennies Congers, lobsters and Crabs.

If you do swim down the port side you will eventually find a large opening that leads into what would have been hold number two. The hold itself is not covered so this is an easy swim through to get you in a position to see what is left on the inside. Much of the cargo was removed prior to sinking but there is still plenty to see including winches and old axes that were being carried. Much of the wreck is now open unless you make your way through the wreckage to hold number four which still has overhead covering though it is fairly straightforward to penetrate.

It is quite easy to do more than one dive on the James Egan Layne as the stern section though much more dismantled makes for another beautiful dive in its own right.

The top of the bow section is at about 6metres making it ideal for safety stops that all in all makes this wreck a really good one for the relative novice or first time wreck diver. In short I love this dive and would happily do it over and over.