Frigate · 1778–1797 · Cork, Ireland
La Surveillante
Also known as Surveillante.
La Surveillante, a French frigate built in 1778 and scuttled in 1797, lies at 8–12 metres off Cork, Ireland.
Beneath the sheltered waters of Bantry Bay lies one of the most archaeologically significant wrecks in Ireland -- a French frigate scuttled during the failed 1796-97 expedition to support Irish rebellion against British rule. La Surveillante went down on 2 January 1797 after her crew chose scuttling over capture by the Royal Navy.
Lost for nearly two centuries, the wreck was identified in 1981 during marine surveys following the Whiddy Island oil terminal disaster, and confirmed in 1997 when the ship's bell was located. Preservation is exceptional: the wreck survives from the orlop deck down to the copper-sheathed keelson, with the entire site contained within just 50 by 25 metres.
A nationally protected monument (NMS Wreck Number W08507), diving requires prior permission from authorities.
- Type
- FrigateFrench
- Year built
- 1778
- Lost
- January 2nd, 1797Scuttled
- Depth
- 8–12 m
- Location
- Cork, IrelandAtlantic Ocean
2 of 5 facts above are cited in Sources below.
Deeper than 23 of the 185 wrecks on the map with a recorded depth.
- Depth: 12 m shown; range in sources 12–30 m. Other published figures exist (why sources disagree).
History and LossLost January 2nd, 1797 · Scuttled · French Revolutionary Wars / 1798 Rebellion · Cork, Ireland.
In December 1796, a French fleet of 43 ships carrying approximately 15,000 troops sailed from Brest to support an Irish rebellion against British rule. Severe storms scattered the fleet and prevented a landing. La Surveillante, damaged and unable to return to France, was scuttled by her crew in Bantry Bay on 2 January 1797 to prevent capture by the Royal Navy.
The failed expedition is known as the Bantry Bay Expedition or Hoche's Expedition.
Built 1778; 19 years in service, also recorded as Surveillante. Lost January 2nd, 1797, scuttled during French Revolutionary Wars / 1798 Rebellion.
Condition of the WreckBroken, in 8–12 m, on fine-grained sediment.
Intactness
Exceptionally well preserved for Irish waters. Survives from the orlop deck down to the copper-sheathed keelson. The low-energy, fine-grained seabed environment has protected the timbers. Archaeological surveys by the National Monuments Service in 1999-2000 documented the site extensively.
One of the most archaeologically significant wrecks in Ireland.
Notable Features
- One of most intact 18th-century warship wrecks in Ireland
- Copper-sheathed keelson preserved
- Ship's bell located 1997
- Nationally protected monument — NMS Wreck Number W08507
- Part of failed French invasion of Ireland 1796-97
- Archaeological excavation by National Monuments Service 1999-2000
Regulations and RestrictionsProtected site · Permit required.
This is a legally protected site. Protected wreck (over 100 years old) under the National Monuments Acts (National Monuments Service). A permit is required to dive this site.
Strictly no artefact removal - nationally protected archaeological site.
Additional Details15 further fields held for this wreck and not shown above.
- Nationality
- French
- Flag
- France
- Propulsion
- Sail
- Loss date
- January 2nd, 1797
- Conflict / event
- French Revolutionary Wars / 1798 Rebellion
- Latitude
- 51.68° N
- Longitude
- 9.54° W
- Water body
- Atlantic Ocean
- Protection regime
- National Monument — NMS Wreck Number W08507. Protected under National Monuments legislation. One of the most archaeologically significant wrecks in Ireland.
- Artefact restrictions
- Strictly no artefact removal - nationally protected archaeological site
- War grave
- No
- Protected
- Yes
- Permit required
- Yes
- Condition
- Broken
- Seabed
- Fine-grained sediment
Sources and VerificationEvery cited fact on this page traces to a published source.
- Geological Survey Ireland / Marine Institute (INFOMAR)infomar.ie · Official record10 facts
- Marine Institutemarine.ie · Official record2 facts
- chrsouchon.free.frchrsouchon.free.fr · Secondary source5 facts
- deepmapscork.wordpress.comdeepmapscork.wordpress.com · Secondary source5 facts
- southernstar.iesouthernstar.ie · Secondary source5 facts
- pure.ulster.ac.ukpure.ulster.ac.uk · Secondary source4 facts
- divers24.comdivers24.com · Secondary source3 facts
- excavations.ieexcavations.ie · Secondary source2 facts
- Historical Archaeology (Springer)link.springer.com · Secondary source2 facts
- navalofficer.com.aunavalofficer.com.au · Secondary source2 facts
- Geological Survey Irelandgsi.ie · Secondary source1 fact
- Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org · Background reading8 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.
- © Marine Institute. 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 La Surveillante?
La Surveillante is the wreck of a frigate, off Cork, Ireland, at 12 metres. La Surveillante was scuttled in 1797.
How deep is the La Surveillante?
La Surveillante lies at 8 to 12 metres, Bantry Bay, County Cork.
How did the La Surveillante sink?
La Surveillante was scuttled on January 2nd, 1797 during French Revolutionary Wars / 1798 Rebellion, off Cork, Ireland.
Is the La Surveillante protected?
Yes. La Surveillante is protected: protected wreck (over 100 years old) under the National Monuments Acts (National Monuments Service).