Twenty-eight hours on a hatch cover. That was how 46-year-old John Carley from Wexford Town survived the sinking of the SS Lismore -- clinging to debris in open sea until he washed ashore, the sole survivor. All 18 crew members drowned when this City of Cork Steam Packet Company cargo ship sank off Hook Head on 11 July 1924, carrying cattle and Ford Motor Company parts from Cork to Liverpool. The wreck lies at 35-38 metres and is regularly dived by Hook Sub-Aqua Club, who marked the centenary in 2024 by placing a memorial plaque on the wreck. A commemorative ceremony was held at Kilmore Quay where relatives of the lost crew handed the plaque to the divers. Boat dive from Kilmore Quay or Slade Harbour.
On 11 July 1924, the SS Lismore, owned by the City of Cork Steam Packet Company, was on a voyage from Cork to Liverpool carrying cattle and Ford Motor Company parts. She sank off Hook Head in circumstances that remain somewhat unclear. All 18 crew members perished. The sole survivor was 46-year-old John Carley from Wexford Town, who managed to climb onto a hatch cover from the ship's debris and floated for 28 hours before being washed ashore.
SS Lismore is a cargo vessel wreck located off Wexford, Ireland at a depth of 38 metres. The vessel was lost due to Foundering in 1924. The wreck is diveable.
SS Lismore lies at 35 to 38 metres depth, Off Hook Head, between Kilmore Quay and Hook Head.
SS Lismore foundered on 11 July 1924, off Wexford, Ireland. 18 people lost their lives.
Diving the SS Lismore is rated advanced and is requires an Advanced Open Water certification with wreck diving experience.
The best months to dive SS Lismore are May, June, July, August, September. Water temperature ranges from 8°C in winter to 16°C in summer.
SS Lismore 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 |
5 evidence records from 4 sources.
SS Lismore sank 11 July 1924. 18 crew died; sole survivor John Carley floated 28 hours on hatch cover.
SS Lismore sank 11 July 1924 off Hook Head. City of Cork Steam Packet Company. Carrying cattle and Ford Motor Company parts. 18 crew died. Sole survivor John Carley floated 28 hours on hatch cover.
Hook Sub Aqua Club placed a memorial plaque on the wreck of SS Lismore during a commemorative dive for the 100th anniversary.
Hook Sub-Aqua Club placed memorial plaque on wreck for 100th anniversary. Commemorative ceremony at Kilmore Quay with relatives of lost crew.
Off Hook Head, between Kilmore Quay and Hook Head