Passenger liner · 1903–1918 · Dorset, United Kingdom

SS Kyarra

Also known as Kyarra, HMHS Kyarra.

SS Kyarra is a British passenger liner built in 1903 and torpedoed in 1918; the wreck lies at 18–30 metres off Dorset, United Kingdom.

Built on the Clyde in 1903 as a luxury liner for the Australian run, she carried 286 passengers in considerable comfort before the Great War requisitioned her as a hospital ship tasked with evacuating wounded troops. On 26 May 1918, heading for Plymouth to collect a thousand injured Australians, a torpedo from UB-57 struck amidships and sent her to the bottom a mile off Anvil Point. Six men died.

The boilers, engine room and stern section are highlights, and the marine life — from nudibranchs to cuttlefish — is outstanding for a Channel wreck.

Type
Passenger linerBritish
Year built
1903William Denny & Brothers, Dumbarton, River Clyde
Lost
May 26th, 1918Torpedo
Casualties
6World War I
Tonnage
6,953 GRTsteam
Length
126.62 m15.9 m beam
Depth
18–30 m
Location
Dorset, United KingdomEnglish Channel

6 of 8 facts above are cited in Sources below.

Deeper than 88 of the 185 wrecks on the map with a recorded depth.

History and LossLost May 26th, 1918 · Torpedo · World War I · Dorset, United Kingdom.

Serving as a casualty-clearing hospital ship, she was heading for Plymouth, where 1,000 wounded Australian soldiers were waiting to be taken aboard and sent home, when UB-57 under Oberleutnant Johannes Lohs torpedoed her amidships on the port side. Six of her crew died.

Built 1903 by William Denny & Brothers, Dumbarton, River Clyde; 15 years in service, also recorded as Kyarra and HMHS Kyarra. Lost May 26th, 1918, torpedo during World War I.

6lives lost on May 26th, 1918.

Condition of the WreckBroken, in 18–30 m.

Intactness

In the late 1960s she was located by Kingston and Elmbridge, a branch of the British Sub-Aqua Club, and that branch owns her to this day.

Notable Features

  • Former luxury Australian liner
  • WWI hospital ship

Additional Details13 further fields held for this wreck and not shown above.

Nationality
British
Flag
United Kingdom
Builder
William Denny & Brothers, Dumbarton, River Clyde
Propulsion
Steam
Loss date
May 26th, 1918
Conflict / event
World War I
Latitude
50.5820° N
Longitude
1.9439° W
Water body
English Channel
War grave
No
Protected
No
Permit required
No
Condition
Broken

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.

  • Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. © Crown copyright and database right.

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 Kyarra?

SS Kyarra is the wreck of a passenger liner, off Dorset, United Kingdom, at 30 metres. SS Kyarra was torpedoed in 1918.

How deep is the SS Kyarra?

SS Kyarra lies at 18 to 30 metres, Approximately 2 miles from Swanage Pier, 1 mile off Anvil Point, Dorset.

How did the SS Kyarra sink?

SS Kyarra was torpedoed on May 26th, 1918 during World War I, off Dorset, United Kingdom. 6 people lost their lives.