Torpedoed, then shelled 20 times by the surfaced U-boat for good measure. The SS Castle Eden, a 1,949 GRT steam collier fitted with a 13-pounder stern gun, departed Glasgow at 3:30am on 4 March 1918 carrying 2,900 tons of coal and timber for the Royal Navy at Lough Swilly. SM UB-110 torpedoed her engine room, then surfaced and pummelled the stricken ship with 20 shells. Remarkably, all crew survived. The wreck at 31-32 metres in Culdaff Bay off Malin Head is broken to seabed level by Atlantic groundswell, but rewards patient exploration. Divers find a dense shoal of pouting at the boilers, conger eels in gaps in the plating, the triple-expansion engine fallen to starboard, greenhouse-like ventilation hatches, and a large steering quadrant at the stern. INFOMAR has produced a 3D model. Featured in Divernet Wreck Tour No. 111.
Departed Glasgow at 3:30am on 4 March 1918, heading for Lough Swilly with 2,900 tons of coal and timber for the Royal Navy. Torpedoed by SM UB-110 — the torpedo hit the engine room. The U-boat then surfaced and fired 20 shells into the stricken vessel. All crew survived. The ship was fitted with a 13-pounder stern gun for defence.
SS Castle Eden is a cargo vessel wreck located off Donegal, Ireland at a depth of 32 metres. The vessel was lost due to torpedo in 1918. The wreck is diveable.
SS Castle Eden lies at 31 to 32 metres depth, Culdaff Bay, off Malin Head, Inishowen.
SS Castle Eden was torpedoed on 4 March 1918 during World War I, off Donegal, Ireland. 0 people lost their lives.
Diving the SS Castle Eden is rated intermediate and is suitable for divers with an Advanced Open Water certification or equivalent. Minimum certification: BSAC Sports Diver / PADI Advanced Open Water.
The best months to dive SS Castle Eden are June, July, August, September. Water temperature ranges from 8°C in winter to 14°C in summer.
SS Castle Eden is accessed by shore or boat from Malin Head, Donegal, Ireland.
| Month | Temp | Visibility | Access | Marine life |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 8.0°C | 5.0m | poor | Minimal — winter conditions |
| Feb | 8.0°C | 5.0m | poor | Minimal — winter conditions |
| Mar | 8.5°C | 6.0m | poor | Minimal — winter conditions |
| Apr | 9.5°C | 7.0m | marginal | Moderate — season starting/ending |
| May | 10.5°C | 9.0m | marginal | Moderate — season starting/ending |
| Jun | 12.0°C | 14.0m | good | Good — wrasse, pollock, crabs, anemones |
| Jul | 13.0°C | 18.0m | good | Peak — seals, large shoals, nudibranchs, conger eels |
| Aug | 14.0°C | 18.0m | good | Peak — seals, large shoals, nudibranchs, conger eels |
| Sep | 13.0°C | 14.0m | good | Good — wrasse, pollock, crabs, anemones |
| Oct | 11.0°C | 7.0m | poor | Moderate — season starting/ending |
| Nov | 9.5°C | 6.0m | marginal | Minimal — winter conditions |
| Dec | 8.5°C | 5.0m | poor | Minimal — winter conditions |
6 evidence records from 4 sources.
SS Castle Eden at 31-32m, Culdaff Bay, accessible shore or boat dive from Inishowen.
At 31m, broken down to seabed by North Atlantic groundswell. Bow, boilers and stern show on echo-sounder. Boilers have dense shoal of pouting, conger eels in plating gaps. Triple-expansion engine broken and fallen to starboard. Greenhouse-like ventilation hatches fallen. Propeller shaft stub exposed. Two pairs of bollards and long winch spindle at stern. Large steering quadrant orientated for rudder straight ahead.
Built 1914 by Irvine Shipbuilding Co., West Hartlepool. 86m x 12.2m x 5.61m. Triple-expansion steam engine. Owned Furness Withy & Co. Left Glasgow 3:30am 4 March 1918 for Lough Swilly with 2900 tons coal and timber. Torpedoed by UB-110.
Torpedoed by UB-110 on 4 March 1918 carrying coal and timber. UB-110 surfaced and fired 20 shells. All crew survived. Fitted with 13-pounder stern gun.
INFOMAR 3D model of SS Castle Eden. Ship built 1914 by Irvine Shipbuilding Co., West Hartlepool. 86m long, 12.2m wide, 5.61m high. Triple-expansion steam engine. Documented wreck near Malin Head.
INFOMAR 3D model of the wreck showing bow, boilers, and stern structure.
Culdaff Bay, off Malin Head, Inishowen