Cargo vessel · lost 1940 · Pembrokeshire, United Kingdom
SS Dakotian
Also known as Dakotian.
The Dakotian's end came with shocking speed. A Heinkel 111H bomber dropped a parachute magnetic mine into Milford Haven in November 1940, and when it detonated against the anchored cargo steamer she went down in barely three minutes — one of the earliest parachute mine casualties in Welsh waters.
What the site lacks in crystal water it makes up for in atmosphere: swimming along a 120-metre hull canted on its beam ends, knowing how suddenly and violently her war ended, gives the Dakotian a sombre character that clear-water wrecks sometimes lack.
- Type
- Cargo vesselBritish
- Lost
- November 21st, 1940Mine
- Tonnage
- 6,426 GRTsteam
- Length
- 120 m15 m beam
- Depth
- 7–19 m
- Location
- Pembrokeshire, United KingdomCeltic Sea
3 of 6 facts above are cited in Sources below.
Deeper than 49 of the 185 wrecks on the map with a recorded depth.
- Position: Published positions differ between sources; the position shown follows the position policy. Other published figures exist (why sources disagree).
History and LossLost November 21st, 1940 · Mine · World War II · Pembrokeshire, United Kingdom.
She was lying at anchor in Milford Haven when she struck a magnetic mine that a German Heinkel 111H bomber had let fall by parachute, and she sank in approximately three minutes. Few ships in this area fell to German parachute mines before her; she was among the first.
Lost November 21st, 1940, mine during World War II.
Condition of the WreckBroken, in 7–19 m.
Intactness
Lying on its side with substantial structure remaining.
Notable Features
- Lying on her side
- Substantial remaining structure
- WWII parachute mine victim
Additional Details12 further fields held for this wreck and not shown above.
- Nationality
- British
- Flag
- United Kingdom
- Propulsion
- Steam
- Loss date
- November 21st, 1940
- Conflict / event
- World War II
- Latitude
- 51.70° N
- Longitude
- 5.14° W
- Water body
- Celtic Sea
- War grave
- No
- Protected
- No
- Permit required
- No
- Condition
- Broken
Sources and VerificationEvery cited fact on this page traces to a published source.
- UK Hydrographic Officedatahub.admiralty.co.uk · Official record2 facts
- lowestoftsac.co.uklowestoftsac.co.uk · Secondary source7 facts
- aerodivers.netaerodivers.net · Secondary source5 facts
- westwalesdivecompany.co.ukwestwalesdivecompany.co.uk · Secondary source5 facts
- bermondseybsac.org.ukbermondseybsac.org.uk · Secondary source4 facts
- blog.padi.comblog.padi.com · Secondary source2 facts
- zentacle.comzentacle.com · Secondary source2 facts
- Divernetdivernet.com · Club or operator13 facts
- Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org · Background reading6 facts
Background reading is listed for context and is not counted as a citation for the facts above.
- Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. © Crown copyright and database right.
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 Dakotian?
SS Dakotian is the wreck of a cargo vessel, off Pembrokeshire, United Kingdom, at 19 metres. SS Dakotian struck a mine in 1940.
How deep is the SS Dakotian?
SS Dakotian lies at 7 to 19 metres, Hats and Barrels, approach to Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire.
How did the SS Dakotian sink?
SS Dakotian struck a mine on November 21st, 1940 during World War II, off Pembrokeshire, United Kingdom.