When she launched in 1901, the RMS Celtic was the biggest ship in the world -- the first vessel in history to exceed 20,000 gross tons, surpassing even the legendary SS Great Eastern. Built by Harland and Wolff in Belfast for the White Star Line as the first of their Big Four quartet, she measured over 700 feet and 20,904 GRT. Her end came ignominiously on 10 December 1928, blown onto rocks at Roches Point while waiting for a harbour pilot at Cobh. Stuck on Cow-and-Calf Rock, wave action caused such structural damage that she was declared a total loss within a week. Sold to Danish firm Petersen and Albeck, she was broken up in situ by 1933. Tragedy struck again in November 1929 when hydrogen sulphide gas from rotting cargo killed four salvage workers. Artifacts found their way into Cork homes. The sparse remaining wreckage at 10-20 metres requires local knowledge to locate.
On 10 December 1928, under command of Captain Gilbert Berry, the Celtic called at Queenstown (Cobh) on her way back from New York. In heavy south-westerly conditions she went aground at Roches Point, was freed, but then became stuck again on Cow-and-Calf Rock, 400 yards west of Roche's Point Lighthouse. Several attempts were made to pull her free. Within a week, inspections revealed extensive structural failures throughout the ship from pounding wave action and she was declared a total loss. All passengers and crew were rescued by the Ballycotton Lifeboat, tender Morsecock, tugs, a destroyer, and local life-saving teams.
RMS Celtic is a passenger liner wreck located off Cork, Ireland at a depth of 20 metres. The vessel was lost due to grounding in 1928. The wreck is diveable.
RMS Celtic lies at 10 to 20 metres depth, Cow-and-Calf Rock, 400 yards west of Roches Point Lighthouse, Cork Harbour.
RMS Celtic ran aground on 10 December 1928, off Cork, Ireland. 0 people lost their lives.
Diving the RMS Celtic is rated intermediate and is suitable for divers with an Advanced Open Water certification or equivalent.
The best months to dive RMS Celtic are May, June, July, August, September. Water temperature ranges from 9°C in winter to 16°C in summer.
RMS Celtic is accessed by boat from Crosshaven, Cork, Ireland.
| 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.
Fittings and artifacts from the stricken liner Celtic were gleefully stripped of finery which is still surfacing in many Cork homes. Four salvage workers died from hydrogen sulphide gas from rotting cargo in November 1929.
RMS Celtic grounded at Roches Point in heavy conditions. Ballycotton Lifeboat, tender Morsecock, tugs, destroyer and local life-saving teams rescued all on board. Ship declared total loss.
White Star Line vessel ran aground at Roches Point 10 December 1928. Once the biggest ship in the world. Blown off course in storm while waiting for harbour pilot.
Under Captain Gilbert Berry, Celtic went aground at Roches Point on 19 December 1928 returning from New York. Freed but stuck again on Cow and Calf Rock. Inspections revealed extensive structural failures from pounding wave action. Declared total loss. Sold to Petersen and Albeck, broken up in situ by 1933.
RMS Celtic, 20,904 GRT, built 1901 Harland and Wolff. White Star Line. Grounded at Roches Point 1928, broken up in situ by 1933.
World's biggest liner at time of launch. Built by Harland and Wolff, Belfast, 1901.
Cow-and-Calf Rock, 400 yards west of Roches Point Lighthouse, Cork Harbour