Also known as: City of Chicago
Dense fog and the towering cliffs of the Old Head of Kinsale proved a fatal combination. On 22 June 1892, the Inman Line passenger liner SS City of Chicago -- 132 metres long and approximately 5,200 GRT, built by Charles Connell & Co. in Glasgow -- ran aground at Ringagurteen Point while on passage from New York to Queenstown and Liverpool. All passengers were rescued safely with their baggage, but twelve crew drowned when a rescue boat was swamped. For three days the ship held together against relentless Atlantic pounding before listing and breaking apart. The wreck now lies at approximately 20 metres at the foot of the dramatic Old Head cliffs, offering an accessible and scenic dive near one of Ireland's most famous headlands -- and not far from the resting place of the Lusitania.
On 22 June 1892, a heavy fog hung over the Old Head of Kinsale as the SS City of Chicago, under the command of Captain Redford, steamed across the southern tip of Courtmacsherry Bay. Unknown to the captain, the ship was much further north than intended and on a direct collision course with the cliffs. She ran aground on the rocks at Ringagurteen Point on the western side of the Old Head of Kinsale. All passengers were rescued, but a rescue boat launched from the ship was swamped, drowning twelve crew. For three days the liner withstood the battering of the Atlantic before finally listing, breaking apart, and sinking.
SS City of Chicago is a passenger liner wreck located off Cork, Ireland at a depth of 22 metres. The vessel was lost due to grounding in 1892. The wreck is diveable.
SS City of Chicago lies at 8 to 22 metres depth, Ringagurteen Point, western side of Old Head of Kinsale, County Cork.
SS City of Chicago ran aground on 1 July 1892, off Cork, Ireland. 0 people lost their lives.
Diving the SS City of Chicago is rated intermediate and is suitable for divers with an Advanced Open Water certification or equivalent. Minimum certification: Open Water Diver.
The best months to dive SS City of Chicago are May, June, July, August, September, October. Water temperature ranges from 9°C in winter to 15.5°C in summer.
SS City of Chicago is accessed by boat from Kinsale, Cork, Ireland.
| Month | Temp | Visibility | Access | Marine life |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 9.5°C | 5.0m | poor | low |
| Feb | 9.0°C | 5.0m | poor | low |
| Mar | 9.5°C | 6.0m | poor | low |
| Apr | 10.5°C | 7.0m | marginal | moderate |
| May | 12.0°C | 9.0m | good | good |
| Jun | 13.5°C | 10.0m | good | good |
| Jul | 15.0°C | 12.0m | good | high |
| Aug | 15.5°C | 12.0m | good | high |
| Sep | 14.5°C | 10.0m | good | good |
| Oct | 13.0°C | 8.0m | good | good |
| Nov | 11.0°C | 6.0m | marginal | low |
| Dec | 10.0°C | 5.0m | poor | low |
5 evidence records from 5 sources.
Ringagurteen Point, western side of Old Head of Kinsale
Twenty metres below surface at foot of cliffs
Ran aground at Ringagurteen Point, Old Head of Kinsale, July 1892. Broke apart over 3 days.
Ran aground at Ringagurteen Point, Old Head of Kinsale, on 22 June 1892 in fog. 12 crew drowned when a rescue boat swamped.
Inman Line passenger liner, built by Charles Connell & Co. in Glasgow. 132m long, approximately 5,200 GRT.
Ringagurteen Point, western side of Old Head of Kinsale, County Cork