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. Two large boilers rise to within 5 metres of the surface -- the most prominent features of the dive. The bow is still recognisable, pointing seaward, and a three-cylinder engine is visible among the wreckage. Conger eels inhabit the broken structure. At 107 metres long, the Lennox was built in 1895 and is now one of the most accessible wreck dives from Kilmore Quay, suitable for novice divers.
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.
SS Lennox is a cargo vessel wreck located off Wexford, Ireland at a depth of 18 metres. The vessel was lost due to Grounding while evading enemy in 1917. The wreck is diveable.
SS Lennox lies at 10 to 18 metres depth, Back of Great Saltee Island, parallel to Collough Rocks.
SS Lennox was lost due to Grounding while evading enemy on 1 January 1917 during World War I, off Wexford, Ireland.
Diving the SS Lennox is rated beginner and is suitable for newly certified Open Water divers.
The best months to dive SS Lennox are May, June, July, August, September. Water temperature ranges from 8°C in winter to 16°C in summer.
SS Lennox 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.
SS Lennox wreck at back of Great Saltee, 10-18m depth. Sheltered from prevailing SW winds. Buoyed.
SS Lennox wreck at back of Great Saltee, 10-18m depth.
SS Lenox struck rocks behind Great Saltee while evading U-boat. Two large boilers within 5m of surface. Three-cylinder engine. Bow recognisable. Conger eels.
SS Lennox struck rocks behind Great Saltee Island while evading German U-boat in 1917. Chinese crew swam to island and onward to Kilmore.
SS Lenox struck rocks behind Great Saltee while evading U-boat. Boilers within 5m of surface.
SS Lennox, built 1895, 107m length, sank 1917.
Back of Great Saltee Island, parallel to Collough Rocks