James Egan Layne

Type: Wreck            Tonnage: 4500 tonnes             Length: 130m        Cargo:  

Date Lost: March 1945    How Lost:  Torpedoed on starboard side by U-1195

Max Depth Seabed:  24m                   Depth to top of Wreck:  10m

Minimum Qualification: Advanced Open Water

The James Egan Layne was hit near the Eddystone reef and towed by Admiralty tugs towards Plymouth in an attempt to save as much cargo as possible.  However, on her way back in the stern collapsed causing her to sink in Whitsand Bay, where she now rests in an upright position on a sandy seabed pointing north towards the shore.  After the James Egan Lane initially sunk her masts and funnel could be seen sticking out of the water, these have since been removed and can be seen on the seabed on the port side.  A vast majority of he cargo was removed before She sank however some of her cargo can still be seen in parts of her 5 holds.

Easy entry to no 1 and 2 holds, which hold many railway rolling stock wheels. Fallen decking now covers the main engine.  Along the port side are vast sheet of white anemones and dead man’s fingers.  The stern has broken off by No 5 hold and now lies southwest of the main wreck however the stern section is linked by a rope, which can be easily followed.