Warship · 1888–1915 · Donegal, Ireland
HMS Viknor
Also known as RMS Atrato, The Viking.
She sent no distress signal, left no survivors and has never been given a conclusive explanation. HMS Viknor disappeared off Tory Island on 13 January 1915, taking all 295 hands with her, and her loss ranks among the worst the Royal Navy suffered off Ireland during World War I. Her career had begun in 1888 as RMS Atrato.
A later sale renamed her The Viking and turned her into a cruise ship, and late in 1914 the Admiralty requisitioned her and sent her to war. What sank her was never established. The chief suspect is the minefield laid by SMS Berlin, which also accounted for HMS Audacious and SS Manchester Commerce.
Not until 2006 was the wreck found, by the Irish survey vessel Celtic Explorer, at a depth of 85 metres some 18 kilometres west of Tory Island. She is a designated war grave.
- Type
- WarshipBritish
- Year built
- 1888Royal Mail Steam Packet Company (original builder)
- Lost
- January 13th, 1915Mine
- Casualties
- 295World War I
- Tonnage
- 5,386 GRTsteam
- Length
- 128.4 m
- Depth
- 85 m
- Location
- Donegal, IrelandAtlantic Ocean
6 of 8 facts above are cited in Sources below.
Deeper than 177 of the 185 wrecks on the map with a recorded depth.
History and LossLost January 13th, 1915 · Mine · World War I · Donegal, Ireland.
Sank with all 295 hands in heavy seas off Tory Island. Cause never conclusively determined — suspected mine from SMS Berlin minefield (same field that claimed HMS Audacious and SS Manchester Commerce). No distress signal was sent. Originally built as RMS Atrato for RMSPC.
Sold in 1912, renamed The Viking as a cruise ship. Requisitioned in late 1914 as armed merchant cruiser and renamed HMS Viknor.
Built 1888 by Royal Mail Steam Packet Company (original builder); 27 years in service, also recorded as RMS Atrato and The Viking. Lost January 13th, 1915, mine during World War I.
Condition of the Wreckin 85–85 m.
Notable Features
- All 295 hands lost — no survivors
- Cause of loss never conclusively determined
- Suspected SMS Berlin minefield
- Same minefield that sank HMS Audacious
- Located by Celtic Explorer survey vessel in 2006
- One of worst Royal Navy losses off Ireland in WWI
Regulations and RestrictionsWar grave · Protected site.
This is a war grave, where human remains may be present and a legally protected site. Controlled site under the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986 (Ministry of Defence). Protected wreck (over 100 years old) under the National Monuments Acts (National Monuments Service).
Additional Details13 further fields held for this wreck and not shown above.
- Nationality
- British
- Flag
- United Kingdom
- Builder
- Royal Mail Steam Packet Company (original builder)
- Propulsion
- Steam
- Loss date
- January 13th, 1915
- Conflict / event
- World War I
- Latitude
- 55.59° N
- Longitude
- 8.24° W
- Water body
- Atlantic Ocean
- Protection regime
- Designated as a protected place under the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986 (Designation of Vessels and Controlled Sites) Order 2026 (SI 2026/286): the wreck may be dived, but may not be entered, disturbed, or have anything removed from it. The wreck also lies in Irish waters, where the National Monuments Acts 1930-2014 protect all wrecks over 100 years old, and underwater archaeological objects are protected irrespective of age.
- War grave
- Yes
- Protected
- Yes
- Permit required
- No
Sources and VerificationEvery cited fact on this page traces to a published source.
- Geological Survey Ireland / Marine Institute (INFOMAR)gsi.geodata.gov.ie · Official record2 facts
- royalmarineshistory.comroyalmarineshistory.com · Secondary source6 facts
- sommemidulster.orgsommemidulster.org · Secondary source6 facts
- marpubs.commarpubs.com · Secondary source4 facts
- westernfrontassociation.comwesternfrontassociation.com · Secondary source4 facts
- historyhubulster.co.ukhistoryhubulster.co.uk · Secondary source3 facts
- navypedia.orgnavypedia.org · Secondary source2 facts
- Protection of Military Remains Act 1986, section 1legislation.gov.uk · Secondary source2 facts
- rosguill.comrosguill.com · Secondary source2 facts
- Coast Monkeycoastmonkey.ie · Secondary source1 fact
- express.co.ukexpress.co.uk · Secondary source1 fact
- ngb.chebucto.orgngb.chebucto.org · Secondary source1 fact
- originalshipster.comoriginalshipster.com · Secondary source1 fact
- Mevagh Divingmevaghdiving.com · Club or operator5 facts
- Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org · Background reading7 facts
Background reading is listed for context and is not counted as a citation for the facts above.
- INFOMAR Shipwrecks © Geological Survey Ireland and Marine Institute. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
A further 4 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 Viknor?
HMS Viknor is the wreck of a warship, off Donegal, Ireland, at 85 metres. HMS Viknor struck a mine in 1915.
How deep is the HMS Viknor?
HMS Viknor lies at approximately 85 metres, 18km west of Tory Island.
How did the HMS Viknor sink?
HMS Viknor struck a mine on January 13th, 1915 during World War I, off Donegal, Ireland. 295 people lost their lives.
Is the HMS Viknor protected?
Yes. HMS Viknor is protected: controlled site under the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986 (Ministry of Defence); protected wreck (over 100 years old) under the National Monuments Acts (National Monuments Service). HMS Viknor is recorded as a war grave.