Also known as: Coningbeg
Two ships. One U-boat. Two days. Eighty-three dead -- sixty-seven of them from a city of just 28,000 people. On 15 December 1917, U-62 torpedoed the SS Formby on the Liverpool to Waterford route. Bad weather delayed the news. Two days later, the SS Coningbeg sailed the same route, unaware her sister ship lay on the bottom. U-62 was still there. All 44 aboard the Coningbeg perished. Originally built as SS Clodagh by Ailsa Shipbuilders in Troon in 1903, the Coningbeg was a Clyde Shipping Company cargo vessel serving the Waterford trade. The dive site off the Wexford coast features strong currents but prolific fish life and colourful marine growth. Together with the Formby, this twin tragedy remains one of the worst maritime disasters of WWI off the Irish coast.
On 15 December 1917, U-62 torpedoed the SS Formby on the Liverpool to Waterford route, killing all 35 aboard. Bad weather delayed news reaching Waterford, and it was assumed the Formby had simply sheltered from the storm. Two days later, on 17 December, the SS Coningbeg sailed the same route unaware of the Formby's fate. U-62, still patrolling the area, torpedoed the Coningbeg approximately 30km southwest of Bardsey Island. All 44 aboard were killed. The twin sinkings devastated Waterford — 67 of the 83 dead were from the city and surrounding areas including Faithlegg and Cheekpoint.
SS Coningbeg is a cargo vessel wreck located off Wexford, Ireland at a depth of 50 metres. The vessel was lost due to torpedo in 1917. The wreck is diveable.
SS Coningbeg lies at 30 to 50 metres depth, Near Saltee Islands / Coningbeg Rock, off County Wexford.
SS Coningbeg was torpedoed on 17 December 1917 during World War I, off Wexford, Ireland. 44 people lost their lives.
Diving the SS Coningbeg is rated advanced and is requires an Advanced Open Water certification with wreck diving experience.
The best months to dive SS Coningbeg are May, June, July, August, September, October. Water temperature ranges from 8.5°C in winter to 15.5°C in summer.
SS Coningbeg is accessed by boat from Kilmore Quay, Wexford, Ireland. The wreck is a designated war grave.
| Month | Temp | Visibility | Access | Marine life |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 9.0°C | 4.0m | poor | low |
| Feb | 8.5°C | 4.0m | poor | low |
| Mar | 9.0°C | 5.0m | poor | low |
| Apr | 10.5°C | 6.0m | marginal | moderate |
| May | 12.0°C | 8.0m | good | good |
| Jun | 13.5°C | 9.0m | good | good |
| Jul | 15.0°C | 11.0m | good | high |
| Aug | 15.5°C | 11.0m | good | high |
| Sep | 14.5°C | 9.0m | good | good |
| Oct | 12.5°C | 7.0m | good | good |
| Nov | 10.5°C | 5.0m | marginal | low |
| Dec | 9.5°C | 4.0m | poor | low |
5 evidence records from 5 sources.
83 people died across both sinkings. 67 from Waterford — population then around 28,000.
Near Coningbeg Rock / Saltee Islands area
Torpedoed by U-62 on 17 December 1917. All hands lost.
SS Formby torpedoed 15 December, SS Coningbeg 17 December 1917, both by U-62. 83 killed, 67 from Waterford.
Both ships owned by Clyde Shipping Company, operated between Liverpool and Waterford. Coningbeg originally SS Clodagh, built Ailsa Shipbuilders Troon 1903.
Near Saltee Islands / Coningbeg Rock, off County Wexford