The 1,800 ton Spanish steamship Cantabria ran aground in fog on 13 December 1938, steaming straight into the rocks at the west edge of Steeple Cove on the Bolt. All 24 crew scrambled ashore, but were then stranded at the bottom of the cliffs. They then had to be rescued from their isolated haven ashore by the Salcombe lifeboat.
Underwater this shallow the wreck has been well broken by storms. Forward of the boilers there is little but small scraps of metal, save for the anchor winch, chains and anchors. Even these seem out of place compared to the original line and layout of the wreck. Many of the small rocks amongst the wreckage are the remains of the original cargo of iron ore.
The boilers are upright and broken open. One is in line with the wreck and the other slightly out towards the middle of the cove. Both usually home to large families of ballan wrasse.
Further aft the wreck is substantially flattened, but some structure remains. Looking beneath the plates reveals some interior spaces between sections of hull and collapsed decks. Beneath the propeller shaft there are some nice wriggle through spaces inside double skinned hull sections where interior partitions have rotted away.
Actually underneath the hull there are gaps between the steel plates and the rocks that I wouldn't even consider attempting. On one dive I was with a particularly skinny cave diving buddy who didn't even hesitate. Bottles off and beneath the hull like a ferret up a trouser leg. I met him further along the wreck with a big grin on his face.
The final significant item of wreckage is the iron propeller, resting flat on the rocks and overgrown with kelp.
As I mentioned earlier, given a nice day it fits in well with our early season theme. A shallow and easy dive at its best early in the year before the kelp takes over. With a boatload of divers, everyone can dive it as a warm up, or if the group has a big spread of experience, some could dive the nearby Maine as a more serious dive, then escort beginners round the Cantabria as a second dive. A half full set can be stretched for getting on for an hour at such shallow depth. It is even shallow enough for snorkellers.