Her iron hull made the compasses lie. The RMS Tayleur, the largest iron clipper of her kind when built in 1853, departed Liverpool for Melbourne on her maiden voyage with over 650 souls aboard. Within 48 hours, fog and storm engulfed the ship. The crew believed they were sailing south through the Irish Sea -- they were actually heading west, straight for Lambay Island. An undersized rudder and improperly stretched rigging sealed her fate. She struck the rocks on 21 January 1854, killing over 370 people. The wreck at 9-17 metres in Tayleur Bay includes hull plates, a donkey engine, the lower mast, crockery, roof tiles, and even tombstones from the cargo. PROTECTED WRECK -- it is illegal to dive without prior permission from the Office of Public Works.
The Tayleur departed Liverpool on 19 January 1854 with over 650 passengers and crew bound for Melbourne, Australia. Within 48 hours, fog and a storm engulfed the ship. Her iron hull caused severe compass deviation, so the crew believed they were sailing south through the Irish Sea when they were actually heading directly west toward Ireland. The rudder was undersized for her tonnage, making it impossible to tack away from Lambay Island once land was sighted. The rigging ropes had not been properly stretched and became slack, leaving the sails nearly uncontrollable. She struck the rocks at the SE corner of Lambay Island and sank rapidly. Over 370 people drowned; only about 280 survived.
RMS Tayleur is a passenger liner wreck located off Dublin, Ireland at a depth of 17 metres. The vessel was lost due to Grounding in 1854. The wreck is diveable.
RMS Tayleur lies at 9 to 17 metres depth, Tayleur Bay, SE corner of Lambay Island.
RMS Tayleur ran aground on 21 January 1854, off Dublin, Ireland. 400 people lost their lives.
Diving the RMS Tayleur is rated intermediate and is suitable for divers with an Advanced Open Water certification or equivalent.
The best months to dive RMS Tayleur are May, June, July, August, September. Water temperature ranges from 7°C in winter to 15°C in summer.
RMS Tayleur is accessed by boat from Dun Laoghaire, Dublin, Ireland. A dive permit is required.
| Month | Temp | Visibility | Access | Marine life |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 7.0°C | 3.0m | poor | Minimal — winter conditions |
| Feb | 7.5°C | 3.0m | poor | Minimal — winter conditions |
| Mar | 8.0°C | 4.0m | poor | Minimal — winter conditions |
| Apr | 9.5°C | 5.0m | marginal | Moderate — season starting/ending |
| May | 11.0°C | 7.0m | good | Good — wrasse, pollock, crabs, anemones |
| Jun | 12.5°C | 8.0m | good | Good — wrasse, pollock, crabs, anemones |
| Jul | 14.0°C | 9.0m | good | Peak — seals, large shoals, nudibranchs, conger eels |
| Aug | 15.0°C | 9.0m | good | Peak — seals, large shoals, nudibranchs, conger eels |
| Sep | 14.0°C | 8.0m | good | Good — wrasse, pollock, crabs, anemones |
| Oct | 12.0°C | 5.0m | marginal | Good — wrasse, pollock, crabs, anemones |
| Nov | 10.0°C | 4.0m | marginal | Minimal — winter conditions |
| Dec | 8.5°C | 3.0m | poor | Minimal — winter conditions |
6 evidence records from 6 sources.
RMS Tayleur at Lambay Island. 9m least depth at low water; main wreckage at ~16-17m.
Substantial wreckage at Tayleur Bay includes hull, side plates, donkey engine, lower mast. Crockery, roof tiles, tombstones visible. 30m off SE corner of Lambay.
Compasses inaccurate due to iron hull. Rudder undersized. Rigging not properly stretched. Struck Lambay Island on maiden voyage. Over 370 killed.
Left Liverpool 19 January 1854 with ~650 passengers and crew bound for Australia. Compasses inaccurate; struck Lambay Island. Over 400 lives lost.
It is illegal to dive without prior permission from the Office of Public Works (protected wreck).
Helmet diver inspected hull for Board of Trade inquiry in 1854. Wreck sold for salvage but significant material remains.
Tayleur Bay, SE corner of Lambay Island