Cargo vessel · 1907–1917 · Waterford, Ireland

SS Folia

This former Cunard liner of 6,705 GRT was torpedoed by U-53 under the highly decorated Hans Rose on 11 March 1917, 4 nautical miles off Ram Head, Ardmore. The third officer spotted a periscope 150 metres away, then two torpedo wakes. U-53 surfaced, circled, shelled the ship four times, and fired a second torpedo. Seven crew died.

Badly broken up at 33-38 metres, but bow, boilers, stern with rudder, and an anti-aircraft gun remain as high points. Spent artillery shells from her 4,400-tonne cargo litter the seabed. Licence required from National Monuments Service.

StatusProtected sitePermitRequired
Type
Cargo vessel
Year built
1907Laing James & Sons Ltd.
Lost
March 11th, 1917Torpedo (U-53)
Casualties
7World War I
Depth
33–38 m
Location
Waterford, IrelandCeltic Sea

5 of 6 facts above are cited in Sources below.

Deeper than 126 of the 185 wrecks on the map with a recorded depth.

History and LossLost March 11th, 1917 · Torpedo (U-53) · World War I · Waterford, Ireland.

The SS Folia was on passage from New York to Avonmouth (Bristol) on 11 March 1917, carrying 4,400 tons of general cargo that included shell cases and machines for digging trenches, when the German submarine U-53 attacked her. U-53's commander, Hans Rose, ranked among the most successful U-boat captains of his day and was heavily decorated.

Her third officer saw a periscope roughly 150m off, then the tracks of two torpedoes. One hit her amidships, wrecking two of the lifeboats and killing seven men, the second officer among them. The submarine then came up, circled the crippled ship and put four shells into her from the deck gun, before a second torpedo finished her. She went down 4 NM ESE of Ram Head, Ardmore, County Waterford.

Built 1907 by Laing James & Sons Ltd.; 10 years in service. Lost March 11th, 1917, Torpedo (U-53) during World War I.

7lives lost on March 11th, 1917.

The Voyage

Cargo
Trench-digging machinery, shell cases, 4400 tons general cargo

Condition of the WreckBroken, lying E-W orientation, in 33–38 m.

Intactness

Lying almost east-west, the Folia is badly broken. Her boilers, her bow area and her stern, which still carries the rudder and a small anti-aircraft gun, are the tallest parts left standing. Amidships, at around 35m, the damage is extensive, and spent artillery shells from her cargo are strewn in great numbers across the site. She is one of the largest wrecks in this area, and INFOMAR has surveyed her by multibeam.

Notable Features

  • Bow area rising from wreckage
  • Boilers as prominent feature
  • Stern with rudder and small anti-aircraft gun
  • Spent artillery shells littering seabed
  • INFOMAR multibeam surveyed
  • Commanded by Hans Rose — most decorated U-boat ace of WWI

Regulations and RestrictionsProtected site · Permit required.

This is a legally protected site. Protected wreck (over 100 years old) under the National Monuments Acts (National Monuments Service). Licence required from National Monuments Service to dive (wreck over 100 years old).

Additional Details14 further fields held for this wreck and not shown above.

Builder
Laing James & Sons Ltd.
Propulsion
Steam
Loss date
March 11th, 1917
Conflict / event
World War I
Latitude
51.88° N
Longitude
7.69° W
Water body
Celtic Sea
Protection regime
Protected wreck — over 100 years old under Irish law
Permit details
Licence required from National Monuments Service to dive (wreck over 100 years old)
War grave
No
Protected
Yes
Permit required
Yes
Condition
Broken
Orientation
E-W orientation

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.

  • INFOMAR Shipwrecks © Geological Survey Ireland and Marine Institute. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
  • © Government of Ireland. National Monuments Service, Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.

A further 4 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 Folia?

SS Folia is the wreck of a cargo vessel, off Waterford, Ireland, at 38 metres. SS Folia was torpedoed in 1917.

How deep is the SS Folia?

SS Folia lies at 33 to 38 metres, 4 NM ESE of Ram Head, Ardmore, Co. Waterford.

How did the SS Folia sink?

SS Folia was torpedoed on March 11th, 1917 during World War I, off Waterford, Ireland. 7 people lost their lives.

Is the SS Folia protected?

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