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.
On 20 January 1894, the three-masted barque Port Yarrock (1,380 tons, Port Line of Glasgow) was driven into Brandon Bay in a disabled state by a fierce storm while carrying refined copper ore from the US to Cobh. She dragged her anchors for over a week. On the night of Sunday 28 January the wind veered north and drove the ship onto Kilcummin strand, where she broke up on the morning of 29 January with the loss of all 20 crew. Seven bodies were never recovered. The Court of Inquiry blamed managing owner Robert John Rowat for allowing the vessel to go to sea short-handed and for not sending immediate instructions to move the ship to a place of safety. The disaster was raised in the House of Commons on 19 February 1894.
Port Yarrock is a cargo vessel wreck located off Kerry, Ireland at a depth of 3 metres. The vessel was lost due to Storm / grounding in 1894. The wreck is diveable.
Port Yarrock lies at 0 to 3 metres depth, Brandon Bay, beneath Kilcummin, Maharees area.
Port Yarrock was lost due to Storm / grounding on 28 January 1894, off Kerry, Ireland. 20 people lost their lives.
Diving the Port Yarrock is rated beginner and is suitable for newly certified Open Water divers.
The best months to dive Port Yarrock are May, June, July, August, September. Water temperature ranges from 9°C in winter to 16°C in summer.
Port Yarrock is accessed by shore from Brandon Bay, Kerry, Ireland. The wreck is a designated war grave.
| Month | Temp | Visibility | Access | Marine life |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 9.0°C | 6.0m | poor | Minimal — winter conditions |
| Feb | 9.0°C | 6.0m | poor | Minimal — winter conditions |
| Mar | 9.5°C | 7.0m | poor | Minimal — winter conditions |
| Apr | 10.5°C | 8.0m | marginal | Moderate — season starting/ending |
| May | 12.0°C | 10.0m | good | Good — wrasse, pollock, crabs, anemones |
| Jun | 13.5°C | 12.0m | good | Good — wrasse, pollock, crabs, anemones |
| Jul | 15.0°C | 14.0m | good | Peak — seals, large shoals, nudibranchs, conger eels |
| Aug | 16.0°C | 14.0m | good | Peak — seals, large shoals, nudibranchs, conger eels |
| Sep | 15.0°C | 12.0m | good | Good — wrasse, pollock, crabs, anemones |
| Oct | 13.0°C | 9.0m | marginal | Good — wrasse, pollock, crabs, anemones |
| Nov | 11.0°C | 7.0m | marginal | Minimal — winter conditions |
| Dec | 10.0°C | 6.0m | poor | Minimal — winter conditions |
6 evidence records from 6 sources.
All 20 crew perished; 7 bodies never recovered. Anchor and 1994 memorial stone on shore.
Bowsprit visible at low spring tides. Wreck buried in sand beneath Kilcummin. Anchor and memorial stone on shore.
Bowsprit visible at low spring tides. Buried in sand beneath Kilcummin.
Port Yarrock, three-masted barque 1,380 tons. Driven into Brandon Bay 20 January 1894. Dragged anchors, driven onto Kilcummin strand night of 28 January. All 20 crew died. Copper cargo valued GBP 100,000.
House of Commons debate on loss of the Port Yarrock. Court of Inquiry blamed managing owner Robert John Rowat for allowing vessel to go to sea short-handed and failing to send instructions to move to safety.
Scottish barque Port Yarrock, 28 January 1894, Brandon Bay. Carrying refined copper ore from US to Cobh. All 20 crew died.
Brandon Bay, beneath Kilcummin, Maharees area