Passenger liner · 1883–1892 · Cork, Ireland

SS City of Chicago

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.

Type
Passenger linerAmerican
Year built
1883William Denny and Brothers, Dumbarton
Lost
July 1892Grounding
Casualties
0
Tonnage
3,713 GRTsteam
Length
132 m
Depth
8–22 m
Location
Cork, IrelandCeltic Sea

2 of 8 facts above are cited in Sources below.

Deeper than 59 of the 185 wrecks on the map with a recorded depth.

  • Loss date: Sources give July 1892, 1892-07, 1868. Other published figures exist (why sources disagree).
  • Tonnage: 3,713 GRT shown; range in sources 3,713–5,202 GRT. Other published figures exist (why sources disagree).

History and LossLost July 1892 · Grounding · Cork, Ireland.

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.

Built 1883 by William Denny and Brothers, Dumbarton; 9 years in service, also recorded as City of Chicago. Lost July 1892, grounding.

0lives lost on July 1892.

Condition of the WreckBroken, in 8–22 m, on rock.

Intactness

Broken up. The ship disintegrated over three days of Atlantic pounding in 1892 and has continued to deteriorate for over 130 years. Wreckage is scattered across the rocky seabed at the foot of the Old Head of Kinsale cliffs.

Notable Features

  • Dramatic cliff-side location beneath Old Head of Kinsale
  • Near RMS Lusitania site — Old Head of Kinsale

Regulations and Restrictions

Protected wreck (over 100 years old) under the National Monuments Acts (National Monuments Service).

Additional Details13 further fields held for this wreck and not shown above.

Nationality
American
Flag
United States
Builder
William Denny and Brothers, Dumbarton
Propulsion
Steam
Loss date
July 1892
Latitude
51.60° N
Longitude
8.53° W
Water body
Celtic Sea
War grave
No
Protected
No
Permit required
No
Condition
Broken
Seabed
Rock

Sources and VerificationEvery cited fact on this page traces to a published source.

Background reading is listed for context and is not counted as a citation for the facts above.

A further 3 fields were derived from the wreck’s recorded position rather than taken from a source.

Licences and credits for the open data used on this site are on the Attribution page.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the SS City of Chicago?

SS City of Chicago is the wreck of a passenger liner, off Cork, Ireland, at 22 metres. SS City of Chicago ran aground and was wrecked in 1892.

How deep is the SS City of Chicago?

SS City of Chicago lies at 8 to 22 metres, Ringagurteen Point, western side of Old Head of Kinsale, County Cork.

How did the SS City of Chicago sink?

SS City of Chicago ran aground and was wrecked on July 1892, off Cork, Ireland. No lives were lost.

Is the SS City of Chicago protected?

Yes. SS City of Chicago is protected: protected wreck (over 100 years old) under the National Monuments Acts (National Monuments Service).