Friday the 13th lived up to its reputation. On 13 April 1917, the SS Bandon struck a mine from German submarine UC-44 off Mine Head while sailing from Liverpool to Cork. The blast beside the engine room killed 28 crew; only 4 survived, including Captain Kelly. In a grim twist, UC-44 herself was destroyed just four months later by one of her own mines off Dunmore East, with her commander Kurt Tebbenjohanns as the sole survivor. The Bandon wreck lies badly broken up at 33-34 metres, oriented east-west. INFOMAR multibeam surveyed. More challenging than nearby SS Folia -- heavier bottom current and poorer visibility demand precise slack-water timing. Built in 1910 by Swan Hunter, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, 81.1 metres long. Boat dive from Dungarvan. War grave.
On 13 April 1917, the SS Bandon was sailing from Liverpool to Cork with general cargo when she struck a mine laid by the German submarine UC-44 (commander Kurt Tebbenjohanns), 2.5 miles SW of Mine Head. The mine detonated on the port side beside the engine room. 28 crew were killed and only 4 survived, including Captain Kelly. In a grim irony, UC-44 was itself destroyed by one of its own mines off Dunmore East on 4 August 1917, with Tebbenjohanns as the sole survivor. The UC-44 wreck was raised by the Royal Navy in September 1917.
SS Bandon is a cargo vessel wreck located off Waterford, Ireland at a depth of 34 metres. The vessel was lost due to Mine (UC-44) in 1917. The wreck is diveable.
SS Bandon lies at 33 to 34 metres depth, 5 miles south of Helvic Head / 5 km south of Mine Head, Co. Waterford.
SS Bandon was lost due to Mine (UC-44) on 13 April 1917 during World War I, off Waterford, Ireland. 28 people lost their lives.
Diving the SS Bandon is rated advanced and is requires an Advanced Open Water certification with wreck diving experience.
The best months to dive SS Bandon are May, June, July, August, September. Water temperature ranges from 8°C in winter to 16°C in summer.
SS Bandon is accessed by boat from Dungarvan, Waterford, Ireland. The wreck is a designated war grave.
| Month | Temp | Visibility | Access | Marine life |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 8.0°C | 4.0m | poor | Minimal — winter conditions |
| Feb | 8.5°C | 4.0m | poor | Minimal — winter conditions |
| Mar | 9.0°C | 5.0m | poor | Minimal — winter conditions |
| Apr | 10.0°C | 6.0m | marginal | Moderate — season starting/ending |
| May | 11.5°C | 8.0m | good | Good — wrasse, pollock, crabs, anemones |
| Jun | 13.0°C | 10.0m | good | Good — wrasse, pollock, crabs, anemones |
| Jul | 14.5°C | 11.0m | good | Peak — seals, large shoals, nudibranchs, conger eels |
| Aug | 16.0°C | 11.0m | good | Peak — seals, large shoals, nudibranchs, conger eels |
| Sep | 15.0°C | 10.0m | good | Good — wrasse, pollock, crabs, anemones |
| Oct | 13.0°C | 7.0m | marginal | Good — wrasse, pollock, crabs, anemones |
| Nov | 10.5°C | 5.0m | marginal | Minimal — winter conditions |
| Dec | 9.0°C | 4.0m | poor | Minimal — winter conditions |
6 evidence records from 5 sources.
SS Bandon: INFOMAR multibeam survey data. Wreck orientated E-W, bow pointed E-SE.
SS Bandon: 51 56' 56.226"N, 07 34' 47.976"W per INFOMAR survey.
SS Bandon at 34m. Heavier bottom current and poorer visibility than SS Folia. Dive at slack water.
UC-44 lost off Dunmore East August 1917, destroyed by own mine. Commander Kurt Tebbenjohanns sole survivor. Wreck raised by Royal Navy September 1917.
SS Bandon sunk 13 April 1917 by mine from UC-44, 2.5 miles SW of Mine Head. Mine detonated port side beside engine room. 28 killed, 4 survived.
Struck mine laid by UC-44 off Mine Head. 28 killed, 4 survived. Liverpool to Cork route.
5 miles south of Helvic Head / 5 km south of Mine Head, Co. Waterford