Also known as: Laurentic, HMHS Laurentic
Twenty-five bars of gold remain unaccounted for. Between 1917 and 1924, Royal Navy salvage divers recovered 3,186 of the 3,211 gold ingots carried by the SS Laurentic -- 43 tonnes of bullion worth GBP 5 million at the time, financing British war purchases in North America. The White Star Line passenger liner, converted to an Armed Merchant Cruiser, struck two mines laid by U-80 off Fanad Head on 25 January 1917, sinking with the loss of 354 lives in temperatures of minus 9 degrees Celsius. The wreck at approximately 40 metres off Lough Swilly is heavily collapsed from both natural deterioration and years of intensive salvage. A prominent upright deck gun sits among the tangled wreckage and serves as the key landmark for divers. Part of the extraordinary concentration of wrecks off Malin Head that makes Donegal a premier technical dive destination.
On 25 January 1917, the Laurentic departed Buncrana in Lough Swilly bound for Halifax, Nova Scotia, carrying 3,211 gold ingots in her strong rooms. Shortly after departure, she struck two mines that had been laid by the German submarine U-80 off Fanad Head. The explosions knocked out the ship's electrical system, plunging her into darkness. She sank rapidly, listing to port. Of the 475 people aboard, only 121 survived. The extreme cold — air temperature was -9°C — killed many who made it into lifeboats.
SS Laurentic is a warship wreck located off Donegal, Ireland at a depth of 42 metres. The vessel was lost due to mine in 1917. The wreck is diveable.
SS Laurentic lies at 20 to 42 metres depth, Mouth of Lough Swilly, near Fanad Head, County Donegal.
SS Laurentic struck a mine on 25 January 1917 during World War I, off Donegal, Ireland. 354 people lost their lives.
Diving the SS Laurentic is rated advanced and is requires an Advanced Open Water certification with wreck diving experience. Minimum certification: Advanced Open Water. Recommended: Deep diver specialty.
The best months to dive SS Laurentic are May, June, July, August, September. Water temperature ranges from 8°C in winter to 14°C in summer.
SS Laurentic is accessed by boat from Buncrana, Donegal, Ireland. The wreck is a designated war grave.
| Month | Temp | Visibility | Access | Marine life |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 8.5°C | 6.0m | poor | approximate |
| Feb | 8.0°C | 6.0m | poor | approximate |
| Mar | 8.5°C | 7.0m | fair | increasing |
| Apr | 9.0°C | 8.0m | fair | moderate |
| May | 10.0°C | 10.0m | good | good |
| Jun | 11.5°C | 12.0m | good | good |
| Jul | 13.0°C | 15.0m | good | excellent |
| Aug | 14.0°C | 15.0m | good | excellent |
| Sep | 13.5°C | 12.0m | good | good |
| Oct | 12.0°C | 8.0m | fair | moderate |
| Nov | 10.0°C | 7.0m | poor | approximate |
| Dec | 9.0°C | 6.0m | poor | approximate |
7 evidence records from 7 sources.
354 lives lost. 43 tons of gold in 3,211 separate gold ingots. Navy divers recovered 3,189 bars by 1924.
Mouth of Lough Swilly near Fanad Head
Lying in only 42m, the Laurentic is well worth a visit. For many, the real draw is the large deck-gun that sits upright in the tangled wreckage.
Struck two German mines leaving Lough Swilly on 25 January 1917. 354 of 475 aboard lost.
Detailed account of the Laurentic sinking and the seven-year salvage operation by Royal Navy divers who recovered 3,186 of 3,211 gold bars.
14,892 GRT. Sank 25 January 1917 after hitting two mines. 354 killed. Carrying 3,211 gold bars.
Mouth of Lough Swilly, near Fanad Head, County Donegal