Cargo vessel · lost 1917 · Wexford, Ireland

SS Formby

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.

StatusWar grave
Type
Cargo vesselBritish
Lost
December 16th, 1917Torpedo
Casualties
35World War I
Depth
30–50 m
Location
Wexford, IrelandCeltic Sea

1 of 5 facts above is cited in Sources below.

Deeper than 149 of the 185 wrecks on the map with a recorded depth.

  • Loss date: Sources give December 16th, 1917, 1917-12-16, 1918-01-23. Other published figures exist (why sources disagree).

History and LossLost December 16th, 1917 · Torpedo · World War I · Wexford, Ireland.

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.

Lost December 16th, 1917, torpedo during World War I.

35lives lost on December 16th, 1917.

The Voyage

Last voyage
Waterford to Liverpool
Final port
Waterford
Destination
Liverpool
Cargo
General cargo and cattle

Condition of the Wreckin 30–50 m.

Intactness

Wreck condition not well documented publicly.

Notable Features

  • Twin tragedy with SS Coningbeg — both sunk by same U-boat
  • All 35 crew lost
  • Bad weather prevented warning to sister ship
  • 67 of 83 total dead from Waterford area
  • Designated war grave

Regulations and RestrictionsWar grave.

This is a war grave, where human remains may be present. Protected wreck (over 100 years old) under the National Monuments Acts (National Monuments Service).

Additional Details12 further fields held for this wreck and not shown above.

Nationality
British
Flag
United Kingdom
Propulsion
Steam
Loss date
December 16th, 1917
Conflict / event
World War I
Latitude
52.05° N
Longitude
6.90° W
Water body
Celtic Sea
Protection regime
Protected automatically under the National Monuments Acts 1930-2014: all wrecks over 100 years old in Irish waters are protected, and underwater archaeological objects are protected irrespective of age.
War grave
Yes
Protected
No
Permit required
No

Sources and VerificationEvery cited fact on this page traces to a published source.

A further 5 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 Formby?

SS Formby is the wreck of a cargo vessel, off Wexford, Ireland, at 50 metres. SS Formby was torpedoed in 1917.

How deep is the SS Formby?

SS Formby lies at 30 to 50 metres, Off the south Wexford coast, near Saltee Islands.

How did the SS Formby sink?

SS Formby was torpedoed on December 16th, 1917 during World War I, off Wexford, Ireland. 35 people lost their lives.

Is the SS Formby protected?

Yes. SS Formby is protected: protected wreck (over 100 years old) under the National Monuments Acts (National Monuments Service). SS Formby is recorded as a war grave.