Cargo vessel · 1895–1916 · Wexford, Ireland

SS Lennox

Also known as Lenox, SS Lenox.

Chased by a U-boat, a Chinese crew made a desperate choice. In 1917, while evading a German submarine near the Saltee Islands, the SS Lennox struck rocks behind Great Saltee Island and went down. Her Chinese crew swam to the island and then onward to Kilmore -- all surviving. The broken wreckage lies at 10-18 metres in sheltered water behind Great Saltee, marked by a buoy.

The bow is still recognisable, pointing seaward, and a three-cylinder engine is visible among the wreckage. Conger eels inhabit the broken structure.

Type
Cargo vessel
Year built
1895
Lost
1916Grounding while evading enemy
Length
107 m
Depth
4.3–18 m
Location
Wexford, IrelandCeltic Sea

5 of 6 facts above are cited in Sources below.

Deeper than 46 of the 185 wrecks on the map with a recorded depth.

  • Depth: 18 m shown; range in sources 4.3–18 m. Other published figures exist (why sources disagree).

History and LossLost 1916 · Grounding while evading enemy · World War I · Wexford, Ireland.

In 1917, during World War I, the SS Lennox was being pursued by a German U-boat in the waters around the Saltee Islands, County Wexford. While attempting to evade the submarine, she struck one of the rocks behind Great Saltee Island and sank. The ship had a Chinese crew, who swam the short distance to the island and then made their way onward to Kilmore. The entire crew survived.

Built 1895; 21 years in service, also recorded as Lenox and SS Lenox. Lost 1916, Grounding while evading enemy during World War I.

Condition of the WreckBroken, in 4.3–18 m.

Intactness

Broken remains spread along the back edge of Great Saltee Island. The bow is still recognisable, pointing seaward. Two large boilers are the most prominent features, rising from the seabed to within 5m of the surface. A three-cylinder engine is clearly visible.

Patchy kelp covers some of the wreckage. Conger eels inhabit the gaps between broken structural elements.

Notable Features

  • Three-cylinder engine visible
  • Bow recognisable pointing seaward
  • Two large boilers rising to 5m of surface
  • Conger eels among wreckage
  • Wreck buoyed for safety
  • Chinese crew survived by swimming to Great Saltee

Regulations and Restrictions

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

Additional Details10 further fields held for this wreck and not shown above.

Propulsion
Steam
Loss date
1916
Conflict / event
World War I
Latitude
52.11° N
Longitude
6.61° W
Water body
Celtic Sea
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.

  • INFOMAR Shipwrecks © Geological Survey Ireland and Marine Institute. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
  • © Government of Ireland. National Monuments Service, Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
  • © Marine Institute. 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 Lennox?

SS Lennox is the wreck of a cargo vessel, off Wexford, Ireland, at 18 metres. SS Lennox ran aground and was wrecked in 1916.

How deep is the SS Lennox?

SS Lennox lies at 4.3 to 18 metres, Back of Great Saltee Island, parallel to Collough Rocks.

How did the SS Lennox sink?

SS Lennox ran aground and was wrecked on 1916 during World War I, off Wexford, Ireland.

Is the SS Lennox protected?

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