Iron steamship · 1884–1884 · Firth of Clyde, United Kingdom
AUSTRIA
The wreck of the steamship Austria underscored the necessity for improved navigational aids in the Firth of Clyde. Her grounding on Ailsa Craig in 1884 highlighted the dangers of poor visibility in the area, prompting the completion of a lighthouse and foghorn on the island just two years later.
Austria, built by H S Edwards and Sons and launched in 1884, was on a voyage from Fuime to Glasgow when she ran aground due to navigational errors by her captain and second mate. The subsequent inquiry led to the suspension of their master's certificates. The wreck, heavily salvaged and broken, lies scattered off the south coast of Ailsa Craig.
While her remains are identifiable, the exact extent of the wreckage is uncertain, with debris found at varying depths. The site includes remnants of her cargo, but diving conditions and accessibility are not established.
Type
Iron steamship
Year built
1884H S Edwards and Sons
Lost
1884
Tonnage
1,663 GRTsteam
Depth
10–20 mIntermediate grade
Minimum cert.
Confirm with a local operator
Location
Firth of Clyde, United KingdomFirth of Clyde
6 of 7 facts above are cited in Sources below.
History and LossLost 1884 · Firth of Clyde, United Kingdom.
Built 1884 by H S Edwards and Sons; 0 years in service. Lost 1884.
Condition of the WreckBroken, in 10–20 m.
Notable Features
Cargo remains
A reference and a starting point, not a dive plan. Plan any dive with a local professional who knows the site and the conditions on the day.
Depth, Access and DifficultyGraded Intermediate · Certification unverified.
Open water 33Advanced 34Deep 36Technical 25Trimix 15
18304060140
Seasonal Conditions
Seasonality for AUSTRIA: water temperature, typical visibility, surface access and marine life, by month.
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Water temp
8.7°
7.7°
7.4°
8.3°
10.3°
12.4°
14.3°
14.8°
14.3°
13°
11.7°
10.1°
Visibility
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
Additional Details7 further fields held for this wreck and not shown above.
Builder
H S Edwards and Sons
Propulsion
Steam
Loss date
1884
Latitude
55.2500° N
Longitude
5.1303° W
Water body
Firth of Clyde
Condition
Broken
Sources and VerificationEvery cited fact on this page traces to a published source.
EUROPA34 m, advanced, iron steamship GLENISLA46 m, technical, iron steamship ROMEO48 m, technical, iron steamship
Intermediate Dives
Cromptonintermediate, cargo vessel ELINOR VIKING20 m, intermediate F218 m, intermediate, warship GREENOCK30 m, intermediate, bucket dredger
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the AUSTRIA?
AUSTRIA is a iron steamship wreck located off Firth of Clyde, United Kingdom at a depth of 20 metres. The wreck is diveable.
How deep is the AUSTRIA?
AUSTRIA lies at 10 to 20 metres depth, Firth of Clyde.
What certification do you need to dive the AUSTRIA?
As reported, diving the AUSTRIA is rated intermediate and is suitable for divers with an Advanced Open Water certification or equivalent. Minimum certification: Confirm with a local operator. A reference and a starting point, not a dive plan. Plan any dive with a local professional who knows the site and the conditions on the day.
20 m
20 m at the deepest, 10 m at the shallowest structure — deeper than 38 of the 143 diveable wrecks in this database, past the advanced threshold.