Also known as: Cork, SS City of Cork
Two torpedoes, five minutes, twelve dead. SM U-103 struck the SS Cork on 26 February 1917 while she crossed the Irish Sea from Dublin to Liverpool carrying sheep, horses, and cattle. The first torpedo hit the engine room; the second struck near the foremast, destroying a lifeboat and eliminating any margin for escape. Built for the City of Dublin Steam Packet Company for the cross-channel trade, the Cork disappeared beneath the waves barely five minutes after impact, nine nautical miles northeast of Point Lynas, Anglesey. Seven passengers and five crew were lost. The wreck now lies upright and largely intact at 48 metres depth in the Irish Sea -- a well-preserved snapshot of early 20th-century cross-channel commerce.
On 26 February 1917, the SS Cork was torpedoed by SM U-103 while on the Dublin to Liverpool route. Two torpedoes struck the port side in quick succession — the first hit the engine room and the second struck near the foremast, destroying one of the lifeboats. The crew had time to launch only two lifeboats before the Cork disappeared beneath the waves, barely five minutes after the first torpedo impact. Seven passengers and five crew were killed.
SS Cork is a cargo vessel wreck located off Irish Sea, Ireland at a depth of 48 metres. The vessel was lost due to torpedo in 1917. The wreck is diveable.
SS Cork lies at 20 to 48 metres depth, Off the south Cork coast, near Roches Point.
SS Cork was torpedoed on 26 February 1917, off Irish Sea, Ireland. 12 people lost their lives.
Diving the SS Cork is rated advanced and is requires an Advanced Open Water certification with wreck diving experience. Minimum certification: Advanced Open Water.
The best months to dive SS Cork are May, June, July, August, September, October. Water temperature ranges from 9°C in winter to 15.5°C in summer.
SS Cork is accessed by boat from Cobh, Irish Sea, 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.
Wreck lies upright and largely intact at 48m depth in the Irish Sea.
Torpedoed without warning on 26 February 1917 off Cork coast. 6 lives lost.
Torpedoed by SM U-103, 9nm NE of Point Lynas, 26 February 1917. Two torpedoes port side. 12 killed. Sank in 5 minutes.
City of Dublin Steam Packet Company ferry. Dublin-Liverpool route. Passenger and cattle trade.
Off the south Cork coast, near Roches Point