Also known as: Empire Heritage
Sherman tanks sit upright on the seabed at 67 metres, some perfectly intact, others still racked neatly in the holds three deep. The SS Empire Heritage was a 15,702 GRT tanker carrying aviation fuel, tanks, and half-track military vehicles from New York as part of Convoy HX-305 when U-482 torpedoed her on 8 September 1944 approximately 20 nautical miles northwest of Malin Head. She went down in under five minutes, killing 113. Thirty minutes later, the same U-boat torpedoed the rescue vessel Pinto as she picked up survivors. The sight of WWII military vehicles entangled with the wreckage is unique among Irish dive sites. Clear Atlantic water off Donegal often provides visibility exceeding 15 metres. The wreck is a designated war grave.
On 8 September 1944, U-482 (Kapitänleutnant Hartmut Graf von Matuschka) torpedoed the Empire Heritage while she was sailing in Convoy HX-305 northwest of Malin Head. Two torpedoes struck and the ship sank in under five minutes, taking 113 souls with her. Approximately 30 minutes later, the rescue ship Pinto, which was picking up survivors, was also torpedoed by U-482 and sank in just 90 seconds, causing further significant loss of life.
SS Empire Heritage is a cargo vessel wreck located off Donegal, Ireland at a depth of 70 metres. The vessel was lost due to torpedo in 1944. The wreck is diveable.
SS Empire Heritage lies at 60 to 70 metres depth, Approximately 15-20 nautical miles northwest of Malin Head, County Donegal.
SS Empire Heritage was torpedoed on 8 September 1944 during World War II, off Donegal, Ireland. 113 people lost their lives.
Diving the SS Empire Heritage is rated extreme and is requires advanced technical diving qualifications including trimix certification and extensive deep wreck experience. Minimum certification: Trimix diver. Recommended: Advanced trimix.
The best months to dive SS Empire Heritage are June, July, August, September. Water temperature ranges from 8°C in winter to 13.5°C in summer.
SS Empire Heritage is accessed by boat from Malin Head, Donegal, Ireland. The wreck is a designated war grave.
| Month | Temp | Visibility | Access | Marine life |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 8.5°C | 5.0m | poor | low |
| Feb | 8.0°C | 5.0m | poor | low |
| Mar | 8.5°C | 6.0m | poor | low |
| Apr | 9.5°C | 7.0m | marginal | moderate |
| May | 10.5°C | 8.0m | marginal | moderate |
| Jun | 12.0°C | 12.0m | good | good |
| Jul | 13.0°C | 15.0m | good | high |
| Aug | 13.5°C | 15.0m | good | high |
| Sep | 12.5°C | 12.0m | good | good |
| Oct | 11.0°C | 8.0m | marginal | moderate |
| Nov | 9.5°C | 6.0m | marginal | low |
| Dec | 8.5°C | 5.0m | poor | low |
7 evidence records from 7 sources.
The Empire Heritage lies about 20 miles northwest of Malin Head in about 70m (230 feet) of water.
Sherman tanks and military vehicles visible on the wreck. Exceptional visibility in the clear Atlantic.
Torpedoed by U-482 on 8 September 1944. 113 lives lost. Cargo included Sherman tanks.
Torpedoed by U-482 on 8 September 1944. 113 lost. Rescue vessel Pinto torpedoed 30 minutes later.
Sherman tanks lie entangled with trucks like discarded toys, spread across the wreck and seabed. Some sit upright and perfectly intact.
Approximately 15-20 nautical miles northwest of Malin Head, County Donegal