Warship · 1912–1914 · Donegal, Ireland

HMS Audacious

Also known as Audacious.

HMS Audacious is a British warship built in 1912 and mined in 1914; the wreck lies at 58–64 metres off Donegal, Ireland.

For the entire duration of World War I, the British Admiralty pretended HMS Audacious still existed. The King George V-class dreadnought battleship struck a German mine off Tory Island on 27 October 1914 -- one of the first major warship losses of the war. Despite hours of rescue attempts, she capsized after a magazine explosion. All crew were rescued by the White Star liner RMS Olympic, sister ship of the Titanic.

The loss was kept secret to deny Germany a propaganda victory. The wreck now lies inverted at 58-68 metres depth, roughly 18 nautical miles northeast of Tory Island.

Type
WarshipBritish
Year built
1912Cammell Laird, Birkenhead
Lost
October 27th, 1914Mine
Casualties
0World War I
Tonnage
25,420 GRTsteam turbine
Length
182.1 m27.1 m beam
Depth
58–64 m
Location
Donegal, IrelandInner Seas off the West Coast of Scotland

3 of 8 facts above are cited in Sources below.

Deeper than 165 of the 185 wrecks on the map with a recorded depth.

  • Position: Published positions differ between sources; the position shown follows the position policy. Other published figures exist (why sources disagree).

History and LossLost October 27th, 1914 · Mine · World War I · Donegal, Ireland.

HMS Audacious was carrying out gunnery practice near Tory Island when she ran onto one of the mines sown by SS Berlin, a German auxiliary. Her crew were taken off by RMS Olympic, sister ship of the Titanic, but an internal magazine explosion then sent the battleship to the bottom. News of her loss was something the Admiralty tried to censor.

Built 1912 by Cammell Laird, Birkenhead; 2 years in service, also recorded as Audacious. Lost October 27th, 1914, mine during World War I.

0lives lost on October 27th, 1914.

Condition of the WreckLargely intact, lying inverted (upside down), in 58–64 m.

Intactness

Inverted — the ship lies upside down. The hull is largely intact but sits inverted on the seabed. The massive dreadnought hull creates an imposing sight at depth.

Notable Features

  • Inverted dreadnought hull
  • One of first major WWI warship losses
  • Rescued by RMS Olympic (sister of Titanic)
  • British Admiralty suppressed news of loss for entire war

Regulations and Restrictions

Protected wreck (over 100 years old) under the National Monuments Acts (National Monuments Service).

Additional Details15 further fields held for this wreck and not shown above.

Nationality
British
Flag
United Kingdom
Builder
Cammell Laird, Birkenhead
Propulsion
Steam turbine
Loss date
October 27th, 1914
Conflict / event
World War I
Machinery
Parsons direct-drive steam turbines, 4 shafts
Latitude
55.47° N
Longitude
7.75° W
Water body
Inner Seas off the West Coast of Scotland
War grave
No
Protected
No
Permit required
No
Condition
Largely intact
Orientation
Inverted (upside down)

Sources and VerificationEvery cited fact on this page traces to a published source.

Background reading is listed for context and is not counted as a citation for the facts above.

  • © Government of Ireland. National Monuments Service, Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.

A further 3 fields were derived from the wreck’s recorded position rather than taken from a source.

Licences and credits for the open data used on this site are on the Attribution page.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the HMS Audacious?

HMS Audacious is the wreck of a warship, off Donegal, Ireland, at 64 metres. HMS Audacious struck a mine in 1914.

How deep is the HMS Audacious?

HMS Audacious lies at 58 to 64 metres, Approximately 18 nautical miles northeast of Tory Island, County Donegal.

How did the HMS Audacious sink?

HMS Audacious struck a mine on October 27th, 1914 during World War I, off Donegal, Ireland. No lives were lost.

Is the HMS Audacious protected?

Yes. HMS Audacious is protected: protected wreck (over 100 years old) under the National Monuments Acts (National Monuments Service).