Also known as: Wasp
The court-martial records have disappeared. The curse story has not. HMS Wasp was a Banterer-class gunboat ordered to assist in forcible evictions on Inishtrahull Island, north of Malin Head. According to Tory Island folklore, islanders "turned" a cursing stone against the ship. On 22 September 1884, running under sail with an inexperienced officer at the wheel and insufficient boiler pressure to manoeuvre, the Wasp ran onto rocks at the base of the Tory Island lighthouse, killing 50 of her 56 crew. The official verdict: navigational error. But the inquiry records have since vanished, and theories of sabotage persist. The wreck lies scattered in 8-18 metres near Tory Island -- an accessible but exposed Atlantic dive with over 140 years of intrigue.
On 22 September 1884, HMS Wasp was sailing to Moville to assist the sheriff in evictions when she struck rocks at the base of the Tory Island lighthouse shortly before 4 a.m. The ship was under sail with an inexperienced young officer at the wheel. Engine-room fires had been banked, leaving insufficient boiler pressure to manoeuvre off the rocks. The ship broke apart and sank within fifteen minutes. Of the 56 aboard, only 6 survived. A court-martial found "navigational error" but the inquiry records have since disappeared, fuelling persistent theories of sabotage. Tory Island folklore attributes the sinking to a curse placed on the ship by islanders opposed to the evictions.
HMS Wasp is a warship wreck located off Donegal, Ireland at a depth of 18 metres. The vessel was lost due to grounding in 1884. The wreck is diveable.
HMS Wasp lies at 8 to 18 metres depth, At the foot of Tory Island lighthouse, County Donegal.
HMS Wasp ran aground on 22 September 1884, off Donegal, Ireland. 50 people lost their lives.
Diving the HMS Wasp is rated intermediate and is suitable for divers with an Advanced Open Water certification or equivalent. Minimum certification: Open Water Diver.
The best months to dive HMS Wasp are June, July, August, September. Water temperature ranges from 8°C in winter to 13.5°C in summer.
HMS Wasp is accessed by boat from Bunbeg, Donegal, Ireland.
| Month | Temp | Visibility | Access | Marine life |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 8.5°C | 5.0m | poor | low |
| Feb | 8.0°C | 5.0m | poor | low |
| Mar | 8.5°C | 6.0m | poor | low |
| Apr | 9.5°C | 7.0m | marginal | moderate |
| May | 10.5°C | 8.0m | marginal | moderate |
| Jun | 12.0°C | 12.0m | good | good |
| Jul | 13.0°C | 15.0m | good | high |
| Aug | 13.5°C | 15.0m | good | high |
| Sep | 12.5°C | 12.0m | good | good |
| Oct | 11.0°C | 8.0m | marginal | moderate |
| Nov | 9.5°C | 6.0m | marginal | low |
| Dec | 8.5°C | 5.0m | poor | low |
6 evidence records from 6 sources.
50 of 56 aboard perished. Only 6 survived.
Near Tory Island lighthouse, County Donegal
Ran onto rocks at foot of Tory Island lighthouse, 22 September 1884. 50 of 56 crew drowned.
Ran onto rocks at base of Tory Island lighthouse, 22 September 1884. 50 of 56 crew killed. Court-martial found navigational error.
Ship ordered to assist in evictions. Islanders reportedly turned a cursing stone. Inquiry records disappeared. Theories of sabotage persist.
At the foot of Tory Island lighthouse, County Donegal