Passenger liner · 1896–1918 · Dublin, Ireland

RMS Leinster

More than 564 people died when the RMS Leinster went down, a toll no other single sinking in the Irish Sea has matched, and one of the most devastating maritime disasters of World War I. Near the Kish Bank on 10 October 1918, UB-123 fired three torpedoes at her. The first went wide and the second hit her port side. Captain Birch was trying to bring her round toward Kingstown when the third almost cut her in two.

Of the 22 postal sorters on board, 21 were killed. Built at Birkenhead in 1896 as a mail steamer for the City of Dublin Steam Packet Company, she lies at 28 metres, around 4 nautical miles east of the Kish Light. Her bow stands proud of the seabed, while the rest has largely collapsed into the sand. Her anchor was raised in 1991 and is on display at Carlisle Pier, Dun Laoghaire.

She is a war grave.

StatusWar grave
Type
Passenger liner
Year built
1896Laird Brothers, Birkenhead
Lost
October 10th, 1918Torpedo (UB-123)
Casualties
500World War I
Depth
28 m
Location
Dublin, IrelandIrish Sea

2 of 6 facts above are cited in Sources below.

Deeper than 81 of the 185 wrecks on the map with a recorded depth.

  • Lives lost: 500 shown; range in sources 500–501. Other published figures exist (why sources disagree).

History and LossLost October 10th, 1918 · Torpedo (UB-123) · World War I · Dublin, Ireland.

At approximately 09:50 on 10 October 1918, Kapitanleutnant Robert Ramm of UB-123 fired three torpedoes at the Leinster near the Kish Bank lightship. The first missed ahead. The second struck the port side forward, near the mailroom. Captain Birch attempted to turn the ship back toward Kingstown.

The third torpedo struck the starboard side, causing a catastrophic explosion that cut the ship almost in two. She sank in minutes. Of those aboard — passengers, crew, military personnel, and postal workers — at least 564 died. Many drowned trapped below decks or in the water awaiting rescue.

UB-123 was likely lost to a mine in the North Sea on or about 19 October 1918.

Built 1896 by Laird Brothers, Birkenhead; 22 years in service. Lost October 10th, 1918, Torpedo (UB-123) during World War I.

500lives lost on October 10th, 1918.

Condition of the WreckBroken, in 28–28 m.

Intactness

The bow section stands proud of the seabed, pointing south, slightly apart from the main wreckage. The rest of the hull is largely collapsed and progressively settling into the sandy seabed. Marine growth is extensive. The wreck is protected under the National Monuments Acts as it is over 100 years old.

Structural deterioration continues due to tidal forces.

Notable Features

  • Bow section standing proud of seabed
  • Rich marine environment
  • Deadliest single incident in Irish Sea waters
  • Anchor recovered 1991, displayed at Carlisle Pier Dun Laoghaire
  • Protected under National Monuments Acts
  • 21 of 22 postal sorters killed — significant postal heritage

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.

Builder
Laird Brothers, Birkenhead
Propulsion
Steam
Loss date
October 10th, 1918
Conflict / event
World War I
Latitude
53.31° N
Longitude
5.79° W
Water body
Irish Sea
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
Broken

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

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 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 RMS Leinster?

RMS Leinster is the wreck of a passenger liner, off Dublin, Ireland, at 28 metres. RMS Leinster was torpedoed in 1918.

How deep is the RMS Leinster?

RMS Leinster lies at approximately 28 metres, 4 NM east of Kish Light, ~22 km from Dun Laoghaire.

How did the RMS Leinster sink?

RMS Leinster was torpedoed on October 10th, 1918 during World War I, off Dublin, Ireland. 500 people lost their lives.

Is the RMS Leinster protected?

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