Also known as: Formby
Nobody in Waterford knew. Bad weather had cut the telegraph, and it was assumed the Formby had simply sheltered from the storm. In reality, U-62 had torpedoed the Clyde Shipping Company cargo vessel on 15 December 1917 while she carried cattle from Waterford to Liverpool, killing all 35 crew. Two days later, her sister ship SS Coningbeg sailed the same route into the same waiting U-boat. All 44 aboard the Coningbeg died too. Of the 83 killed across both sinkings, 67 were from Waterford and surrounding communities including Faithlegg and Cheekpoint. The double tragedy devastated the waterfront community and is commemorated as one of the worst maritime disasters of World War I off the Irish coast.
On 15 December 1917, the SS Formby departed Waterford bound for Liverpool carrying a cargo of cattle. She was torpedoed by U-62 in the Irish Sea. All 35 crew were lost. Bad weather prevented news of the sinking from reaching Waterford in time to warn the SS Coningbeg, which sailed the same route two days later and was also torpedoed by U-62 with the loss of all 44 aboard.
SS Formby 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 Formby lies at 30 to 50 metres depth, Off the south Wexford coast, near Saltee Islands.
SS Formby was torpedoed on 16 December 1917 during World War I, off Wexford, Ireland. 35 people lost their lives.
Diving the SS Formby is rated advanced and is requires an Advanced Open Water certification with wreck diving experience.
The best months to dive SS Formby are May, June, July, August, September, October. Water temperature ranges from 8.5°C in winter to 15.5°C in summer.
SS Formby 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.
Centenary events marking the twin sinkings. 83 total dead, 67 from Waterford.
Off south Wexford coast, near Saltee Islands
Torpedoed by U-62 on 16 December 1917. All hands lost. Twin tragedy with SS Coningbeg.
Torpedoed 15 December 1917 by U-62 on Liverpool to Waterford route. All 35 lost. Sister ship Coningbeg sunk 2 days later.
Clyde Shipping Company vessel. Carried cargo and cattle between Liverpool and Waterford.
Off the south Wexford coast, near Saltee Islands