Survivors were lowered down a 45-metre cliff face. When the SS Alondra ran aground on Kedge Rock off Baltimore in dense fog on 29 December 1916, sixteen of her 40 crew drowned taking to a ship's boat. The Baltimore lifeboat launched twice but couldn't reach the vessel. At daylight, rescuers arrived with rocket apparatus and two Royal Navy trawlers. Together they saved 23 men -- Archdeacon Becher and Lieutenant Sanderson each received the RNLI Silver Medal for Gallantry. Built in 1899 for the Rio Tinto Company, the 2,500 GRT steel steamship now offers multiple depth zones from 6 metres (forecastle with anchor winches) down to 46 metres (stern section), with prominent boilers at 20 metres surrounded by hull plating that houses large conger eels. A popular Baltimore dive; strong tides dictate slack water timing.
On 29 December 1916, the Alondra, carrying a crew of 40, ran ashore on Kedge Rocks off Baltimore in dense fog and bad weather. Sixteen men took to a ship's boat and were drowned, and one man died on board. The Baltimore lifeboat launched twice but failed to reach the vessel in the conditions. At daylight, rescuers set out with rocket apparatus and two Royal Navy trawlers arrived. Together they saved 23 survivors, some lowered down a 45-metre cliff face.
SS Alondra is a cargo vessel wreck located off Cork, Ireland at a depth of 46 metres. The vessel was lost due to grounding in 1916. The wreck is diveable.
SS Alondra lies at 6 to 46 metres depth, Kedge Rock, off Baltimore, West Cork.
SS Alondra ran aground on 29 December 1916, off Cork, Ireland. 17 people lost their lives.
Diving the SS Alondra is rated intermediate and is suitable for divers with an Advanced Open Water certification or equivalent.
The best months to dive SS Alondra are May, June, July, August, September. Water temperature ranges from 9°C in winter to 16°C in summer.
SS Alondra is accessed by boat from Baltimore, 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.
Forecastle with anchor winches rises to 6m. Boilers at ~20m. Stern section at 46m.
Forecastle with impressive anchor winches rises to 6m. Boilers still prominent at ~20m. Fair amount of hull plating housing large conger eels. Stern section at 46m breaking up to expose machinery.
Baltimore volunteers launched a lifeboat but failed to reach the vessel twice. At daylight they set out with rocket apparatus. Two Royal Navy trawlers arrived. 23 survivors rescued, some lowered down a 45-metre cliff. Archdeacon Becher and Lieutenant Sanderson each awarded RNLI Silver Medal for Gallantry.
English steamer owned by Yeoward Bros. Ltd. of Liverpool. Ran ashore on Kedge Rocks off Baltimore in dense fog. 17 crew died; 23 rescued by Baltimore lifeboat.
English steamer owned by Yeoward Bros. Ltd. Built 1899 by David J. Dunlop of Port Glasgow for Rio Tinto Company. Steel construction, about 300 feet (91m) long, 40 feet (12m) wide. Sank 29 December 1916 after running aground at Kedge Rock, Baltimore. 17 crew died, 23 rescued.
SS Alondra wreck off Baltimore, popular dive site with multiple depth zones.
Kedge Rock, off Baltimore, West Cork