1903–1917 · Shetland, United Kingdom

Leonatus

A salvage officer, a Chief Petty Officer and two hands from the whaler Beluga went aboard the stricken Leonatus to save her, and only three of the four got clear. She had come north from Swansea with coal and was waiting off Lerwick to join a small convoy for Norway when an explosion aft of her well deck stopped her two miles south of Bard Head.

Records disagree on whether a torpedo or one of the mines laid nearby by UC-40 was to blame. Captain James Fenton sent his crew to the boats, and the whalers Balaena and Beluga picked them up. The tug Peewit then took her in tow, but she was settling, and she sank soon after the tow was slipped; the Chief Petty Officer went down with her.

Built at Stockton-on-Tees by Richardson Duck and Co Ltd in 1903, she lies upright in two main sections, her propeller and stern gun still visible; the recovery of her bell confirmed her identity.

StatusWar grave
Year built
1903Richardson Duck and Co Ltd
Lost
1917Torpedo
Casualties
2
Depth
49–57 m
Location
Shetland, United KingdomNorth Sea

Deeper than 159 of the 185 wrecks on the map with a recorded depth.

History and LossLost 1917 · Torpedo · Shetland, United Kingdom.

Bound into Lerwick on 12 December 1917 with Swansea coal, she was waiting to join a small convoy for Norway when an explosion aft of her well deck, at 9:20am, left her powerless and down by the bow two miles south of Bard Head; two of her crew died at once. Captain Fenton sent the rest to the boats, and HM whalers Balaena and Beluga took them aboard.

The tug Peewit got her under tow, but she was settling, and ten minutes after the tow was dropped at 11:45 she sank with the Chief Petty Officer still on board.

Built 1903 by Richardson Duck and Co Ltd; 14 years in service. Lost 1917, torpedo.

2lives lost on 1917.

Condition of the Wreckin 49–57 m.

Intactness

She sits upright in two major sections. The bell recovered from her, inscribed 'Scarsdale', confirmed who she was.

Notable Features

  • Cargo remains
  • Guns
  • Propeller
  • Triple expansion engine

Regulations and RestrictionsWar grave.

This is a war grave, where human remains may be present.

Sea-Surface Temperature by Month

Sea-surface temperature at the position of Leonatus, by month. Monthly mean sea-surface temperature at the wreck's position, 2015–2024 (NOAA JPL MUR SST v4.1).
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Surface temp8.1°7.4°7.1°7.5°8.8°10.6°12.3°12.8°12.2°11.3°10.3°9°

Additional Details9 further fields held for this wreck and not shown above.

Builder
Richardson Duck and Co Ltd
Propulsion
Steam
Loss date
1917
Latitude
60.11° N
Longitude
1.10° W
Water body
North Sea
War grave
Yes
Protected
No
Permit required
No

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

  • Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Historic Environment Scotland.
  • Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. © Crown copyright and database right.
  • JPL MUR MEaSUREs Project. GHRSST Level 4 MUR Global Foundation Sea Surface Temperature Analysis (v4.1). PO.DAAC. https://doi.org/10.5067/GHGMR-4FJ04

A further 5 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 Leonatus?

Leonatus is the wreck of a ship, off Shetland, United Kingdom, at 57 metres. Leonatus was torpedoed in 1917.

How deep is the Leonatus?

Leonatus lies at 49 to 57 metres, North Sea, Shetland.

How did the Leonatus sink?

Leonatus was torpedoed on 1917, off Shetland, United Kingdom. 2 people lost their lives.

Is the Leonatus protected?

Yes. Leonatus is recorded as a war grave.