Cargo vessel · lost 1894 · Kerry, Ireland

Port Yarrock

The disaster was raised in the House of Commons. On 28 January 1894, the three-masted iron-clad barque Port Yarrock -- carrying refined copper ore worth GBP 100,000 from the US to Cobh -- was driven onto Kilcummin strand in Brandon Bay after dragging her anchors for over a week in a disabled state. All 20 British and Scandinavian crew perished; seven bodies were never recovered.

The Court of Inquiry blamed the managing owner, Robert John Rowat, for allowing the ship to sail short-handed and for failing to send instructions to move her to safety. The wreck is largely buried in sand with the bowsprit visible at extreme low spring tides. An anchor and centenary memorial stone placed in 1994 stand on shore above Kilcummin strand. Very shallow shore exploration in the Maharees area.

StatusWar grave
Type
Cargo vesselBritish
Lost
January 28th, 1894Storm / grounding
Casualties
20
Depth
0–3 m
Location
Kerry, IrelandAtlantic Ocean

1 of 5 facts above is cited in Sources below.

Deeper than 0 of the 185 wrecks on the map with a recorded depth.

History and LossLost January 28th, 1894 · Storm / grounding · Kerry, Ireland.

A fierce storm drove the Port Yarrock, a three-masted barque of 1,380 tons belonging to the Port Line of Glasgow, into Brandon Bay on 20 January 1894. She was disabled, on passage from the US to Cobh with refined copper ore, and for more than a week her anchors dragged. On the night of Sunday 28 January the wind swung round to the north and pushed her ashore on Kilcummin strand.

By the morning of 29 January she had broken up, and all 20 of her crew were lost; seven of the bodies were never found. The Court of Inquiry put the blame on Robert John Rowat, her managing owner, for letting her sail short-handed and for failing to send prompt orders to move her somewhere safe. On 19 February 1894 the disaster was raised in the House of Commons.

Lost January 28th, 1894, Storm / grounding.

20lives lost on January 28th, 1894.

The Voyage

Last voyage
United States to Cobh
Destination
Cobh (Queenstown)
Cargo
Refined copper ore

Condition of the WreckBuried, in 0–3 m.

Intactness

Most of the Port Yarrock lies deep under the sand of Kilcummin strand, and only at the very lowest spring tides does her bowsprit show. One of her anchors was recovered; it now stands above the strand next to a memorial stone set there in 1994 to mark a hundred years since the disaster.

Notable Features

  • Bowsprit visible at extreme low spring tides
  • Anchor and centenary memorial stone (1994) on shore above Kilcummin strand
  • Copper ore cargo valued at GBP 100,000
  • Disaster raised in House of Commons 1894
  • Court of Inquiry blamed owner for going to sea short-handed

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 Details12 further fields held for this wreck and not shown above.

Nationality
British
Flag
United Kingdom
Propulsion
Sail
Loss date
January 28th, 1894
Latitude
52.28° N
Longitude
9.98° W
Water body
Atlantic Ocean
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
Buried

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

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 Port Yarrock?

Port Yarrock is the wreck of a cargo vessel, off Kerry, Ireland, at 3 metres. Port Yarrock ran aground and was wrecked in 1894.

How deep is the Port Yarrock?

Port Yarrock lies at 0 to 3 metres, Brandon Bay, beneath Kilcummin, Maharees area.

How did the Port Yarrock sink?

Port Yarrock ran aground and was wrecked on January 28th, 1894, off Kerry, Ireland. 20 people lost their lives.

Is the Port Yarrock protected?

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