Cargo vessel · 1867–1885 · Cork, Ireland

SS Iberian

Scattered in a zig-zag pattern across a shelving slope from 6 to 36 metres, the remains of the SS Iberian tell the story of an 1885 grounding that all 53 crew survived. This iron cargo steamship of 2,930 GRT, built in 1867 with compound inverted engines of 350 HP, was carrying cattle from Boston to Liverpool for F. Leyland & Co. when thick fog delivered her onto rocks half a mile south-west of Bird Island in Dunmanus Bay.

The captain and crew escaped in four boats -- three landed on Bird Island rocks, the fourth was swept away but later found with everyone alive. The wreck is broken into multiple sections; the iron propeller remains intact at 30-38 metres. Featured in Divernet Wreck Tour No.

Type
Cargo vesselBritish
Year built
1867
Lost
November 21st, 1885Grounding
Casualties
0
Tonnage
2,930 GRTsteam
Length
118.9 m11.3 m beam
Depth
6–36 m
Location
Cork, IrelandAtlantic Ocean

4 of 8 facts above are cited in Sources below.

Deeper than 119 of the 185 wrecks on the map with a recorded depth.

History and LossLost November 21st, 1885 · Grounding · Cork, Ireland.

On the early morning of 21 November 1885, the Iberian, carrying cattle from Boston to Liverpool, ran onto rocks half a mile south-west of Bird Island near Mizen Head in thick fog. The captain and crew of 53 took to four boats. Three boats landed without difficulty on the rocks of Bird Island, while the fourth was swept away but was later found without any loss of life.

The vessel subsequently slipped back off the rocks and broke up on the shelving seabed.

Built 1867; 18 years in service. Lost November 21st, 1885, grounding.

0lives lost on November 21st, 1885.

The Voyage

Cargo
Cattle

Condition of the WreckScattered, in 6–36 m.

Intactness

Broken into multiple sections scattered in a zig-zag pattern across a shelving slope from 6m to 36m. Little shows on echo-sounder. Parts of the hull and the iron propeller remain intact, resting at 30-38m. No wreckage found below 40m.

Notable Features

  • Wreckage scattered in zig-zag across slope from 6m to 36m
  • Iron propeller intact at 30-38m
  • Hull sections with compound inverted engine remains
  • Featured in Divernet Wreck Tour #42
  • Cattle cargo from Boston to Liverpool

Regulations and Restrictions

Protected wreck (over 100 years old) under the National Monuments Acts (National Monuments Service).

Additional Details11 further fields held for this wreck and not shown above.

Nationality
British
Flag
United Kingdom
Propulsion
Steam
Loss date
November 21st, 1885
Latitude
51.51° N
Longitude
9.78° W
Water body
Atlantic Ocean
War grave
No
Protected
No
Permit required
No
Condition
Scattered

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.

  • © Government of Ireland. National Monuments Service, Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.

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 Iberian?

SS Iberian is the wreck of a cargo vessel, off Cork, Ireland, at 36 metres. SS Iberian ran aground and was wrecked in 1885.

How deep is the SS Iberian?

SS Iberian lies at 6 to 36 metres, Half a mile south-west of Bird Island, Dunmanus Bay, near Mizen Head.

How did the SS Iberian sink?

SS Iberian ran aground and was wrecked on November 21st, 1885, off Cork, Ireland. No lives were lost.

Is the SS Iberian protected?

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