Walk into Kehoe's Pub in Kilmore Quay and you'll find the bell. An excellent model of the Idaho sits alongside it, commemorating the iron-hulled sailing steamer that ran aground on Coningmore Rocks off Great Saltee Island in dense fog on 1 June 1878. Built by Palmers of Jarrow for the Liverpool & Great Western Steam Company, the 3,500-ton Idaho was carrying 151 passengers, 51 horses, cattle, and 1,000 tons of beef from New York to Liverpool. She drifted off the rock and sank within 20 minutes, but remarkably every soul aboard was rescued. The collapsed wreckage sits on bright sand at 15-25 metres and is one of the main dive sites around the Saltees. An anchor stands at the Kilmore Quay marina gate. Strong and unpredictable tidal currents demand neap-tide diving.
On 1 June 1878, the SS Idaho was on a transatlantic voyage from New York to Liverpool via Queenstown, carrying 151 passengers and a mixed cargo of 51 horses, cattle, and 1,000 tons of beef. Dense fog enveloped the ship as she approached the Saltee Islands off the Wexford coast. She ran aground on the Coningmore Rocks off Great Saltee Island. The ship drifted off the rock and sank within 20 minutes. All passengers and crew were rescued without loss of life, a remarkable outcome given the speed of the sinking.
SS Idaho is a cargo vessel wreck located off Wexford, Ireland at a depth of 25 metres. The vessel was lost due to Grounding in 1878. The wreck is diveable.
SS Idaho lies at 15 to 25 metres depth, Coningmore Rocks, off Great Saltee Island, Saltee Islands.
SS Idaho ran aground on 1 June 1878, off Wexford, Ireland. 0 people lost their lives.
Diving the SS Idaho is rated intermediate and is suitable for divers with an Advanced Open Water certification or equivalent.
The best months to dive SS Idaho are May, June, July, August, September. Water temperature ranges from 8°C in winter to 16°C in summer.
SS Idaho is accessed by boat from Kilmore Quay, Wexford, Ireland.
| Month | Temp | Visibility | Access | Marine life |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 8.0°C | 4.0m | poor | Minimal — winter conditions |
| Feb | 8.5°C | 4.0m | poor | Minimal — winter conditions |
| Mar | 9.0°C | 5.0m | poor | Minimal — winter conditions |
| Apr | 10.0°C | 6.0m | marginal | Moderate — season starting/ending |
| May | 11.5°C | 8.0m | good | Good — wrasse, pollock, crabs, anemones |
| Jun | 13.0°C | 10.0m | good | Good — wrasse, pollock, crabs, anemones |
| Jul | 14.5°C | 11.0m | good | Peak — seals, large shoals, nudibranchs, conger eels |
| Aug | 16.0°C | 11.0m | good | Peak — seals, large shoals, nudibranchs, conger eels |
| Sep | 15.0°C | 10.0m | good | Good — wrasse, pollock, crabs, anemones |
| Oct | 13.0°C | 7.0m | marginal | Good — wrasse, pollock, crabs, anemones |
| Nov | 10.5°C | 5.0m | marginal | Minimal — winter conditions |
| Dec | 9.0°C | 4.0m | poor | Minimal — winter conditions |
6 evidence records from 6 sources.
Wreck at Coningmore Rocks area, ~15-25m collapsed wreckage on sand.
Idaho wreck collapsed and silted on sand. Less intact than nearby Invercauld. Wreck-holes to explore.
SS Idaho ran aground in fog on Coningmore Rocks. Collapsed and silted wreckage on sand.
SS Idaho, sank 1 June 1878 off the Saltee Islands, Wexford.
Idaho wreck is one of main dive sites in the area around the Saltee Islands. Bell and model in Kehoe's Pub, Kilmore Quay.
SS Idaho, 3500 ton sailing steamer, built by Palmers of Jarrow Newcastle, owned Liverpool & Great Western Steam Co. 151 passengers, 51 horses, cattle, 1000 tons beef. All rescued.
Coningmore Rocks, off Great Saltee Island, Saltee Islands