Troopship · 1914–1918 · Donegal, Ireland

HMT Justicia

Also known as Justicia, RMS Justicia, SS Statendam.

It took two U-boats and two days to sink the Justicia, at 32,234 GRT and 237 metres long one of the largest vessels lost during World War I; accounts of how many torpedoes struck her range from four to six. Laid down as the Holland-America liner Statendam, she was completed as a British troopship. UB-64 torpedoed her northwest of Malin Head on 19 July 1918, but she stayed afloat and was taken in tow.

The next day UB-124 found her and fired two more torpedoes, and by noon she had rolled over and gone down. She lies at 70 metres, more than 25 nautical miles offshore, and everything about her is built on a vast scale: oversized chains, derricks and capstans on the foredeck, and a massive anchor still in place on the broken-off bow.

StatusWar grave
Type
TroopshipBritish
Year built
1914Harland and Wolff, Belfast
Lost
July 20th, 1918Torpedo
Casualties
16World War I
Tonnage
32,234 GRTsteam
Length
237 m26.2 m beam
Depth
65–72 m
Location
Donegal, IrelandInner Seas off the West Coast of Scotland

3 of 8 facts above are cited in Sources below.

Deeper than 173 of the 185 wrecks on the map with a recorded depth.

  • Lives lost: 16 shown; range in sources 9–16. Other published figures exist (why sources disagree).
  • Position: Published positions differ between sources; the position shown follows the position policy. Other published figures exist (why sources disagree).

History and LossLost July 20th, 1918 · Torpedo · World War I · Donegal, Ireland.

Empty of cargo and with destroyers as escort, Justicia was on passage from Belfast to New York on 19 July 1918 when a torpedo from UB-64 hit her. Her crew shut the watertight doors quickly enough to keep her afloat for the moment, but UB-64 then put two more torpedoes into her side. The tug Sonia got a line aboard and began towing her.

On the next day, 20 July, a second submarine, UB-124, came upon the damaged ship and struck her amidships with another two torpedoes. She heeled over onto her side by noon and went down. It had taken two different U-boats across two days to sink her, though accounts differ on how many torpedoes struck her, from four to six.

Built 1914 by Harland and Wolff, Belfast; 4 years in service, also recorded as Justicia and RMS Justicia and SS Statendam. Lost July 20th, 1918, torpedo during World War I.

16lives lost on July 20th, 1918.

The Voyage

Last voyage
Liverpool to New York
Destination
New York

Condition of the WreckBroken, lying upright, in 65–72 m.

Intactness

Sitting mainly upright at approximately 70m. The bow section has broken off but the massive anchor remains in place. Oversized deck machinery — chains, derricks, capstans — visible on the foredeck. Deterioration ongoing but structural features clearly identifiable.

Notable Features

  • Second largest ship sunk in WWI at 32,234 GRT
  • Took six torpedoes from two U-boats over two days to sink
  • Massive anchor still in place on broken bow section
  • Oversized deck machinery — chains, derricks, capstans
  • Furthest offshore of the Malin Head wrecks
  • 3+ hour boat transfer required

Regulations and RestrictionsWar grave.

This is a war grave, where human remains may be present. 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
Harland and Wolff, Belfast
Propulsion
Steam
Loss date
July 20th, 1918
Conflict / event
World War I
Latitude
55.66° N
Longitude
7.72° W
Water body
Inner Seas off the West Coast of Scotland
Protection regime
Protected automatically under the National Monuments Acts 1930-2014: all wrecks over 100 years old in Irish waters are protected, and underwater archaeological objects are protected irrespective of age.
War grave
Yes
Protected
No
Permit required
No
Condition
Broken
Orientation
Upright

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.

  • 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 HMT Justicia?

HMT Justicia is the wreck of a troopship, off Donegal, Ireland, at 72 metres. HMT Justicia was torpedoed in 1918.

How deep is the HMT Justicia?

HMT Justicia lies at 65 to 72 metres, Approximately 25-28 nautical miles northwest of Malin Head, County Donegal.

How did the HMT Justicia sink?

HMT Justicia was torpedoed on July 20th, 1918 during World War I, off Donegal, Ireland. 16 people lost their lives.

Is the HMT Justicia protected?

Yes. HMT Justicia is protected: protected wreck (over 100 years old) under the National Monuments Acts (National Monuments Service). HMT Justicia is recorded as a war grave.