Cargo vessel · lost 1924 · Wexford, Ireland
SS Lismore
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.
A commemorative ceremony was held at Kilmore Quay where relatives of the lost crew handed the plaque to the divers.
- Type
- Cargo vessel
- Lost
- July 11th, 1924Foundering
- Casualties
- 18
- Depth
- 35–38 m
- Location
- Wexford, IrelandCeltic Sea
3 of 5 facts above are cited in Sources below.
Deeper than 126 of the 185 wrecks on the map with a recorded depth.
- Depth: 38 m shown; range in sources 29–38 m. Other published figures exist (why sources disagree).
History and LossLost July 11th, 1924 · Foundering · Wexford, Ireland.
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.
Lost July 11th, 1924, Foundering.
The Voyage
- Cargo
- Cattle, Ford Motor Company parts
Condition of the Wreckin 35–38 m.
Notable Features
- Memorial plaque laid by Hook Sub-Aqua Club in 2024 (100th anniversary)
- Commemorative ceremony with crew relatives at Kilmore Quay
- Sole survivor John Carley floated 28 hours on hatch cover
- Cattle and Ford Motor Company parts cargo
Regulations and Restrictions
Protected wreck (over 100 years old) under the National Monuments Acts (National Monuments Service).
Additional Details8 further fields held for this wreck and not shown above.
- Propulsion
- Steam
- Loss date
- July 11th, 1924
- Latitude
- 52.09° N
- Longitude
- 6.70° W
- Water body
- Celtic Sea
- War grave
- No
- Protected
- No
- Permit required
- No
Sources and VerificationEvery cited fact on this page traces to a published source.
- National Monuments Service — Wreck Inventory of Irelandassets.gov.ie · Official record5 facts
- Geological Survey Ireland / Marine Institute (INFOMAR)gsi.geodata.gov.ie · Official record4 facts
- Irish Examineririshexaminer.com · Press1 fact
- dusac.orgdusac.org · Secondary source3 facts
- Afloat.ieafloat.ie · Secondary source2 facts
- colonialtallshipsrayw1.blogspot.comcolonialtallshipsrayw1.blogspot.com · Secondary source2 facts
- rnli.org (archived)rnli.org · Secondary source2 facts
- Dunmore Anglingdunmoreangling.ie · Secondary source1 fact
- Dive Wexforddivewexford.org · Club or operator2 facts
- 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.
A further 3 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 Lismore?
SS Lismore is the wreck of a cargo vessel, off Wexford, Ireland, at 38 metres. SS Lismore foundered in 1924.
How deep is the SS Lismore?
SS Lismore lies at 35 to 38 metres, Off Hook Head, between Kilmore Quay and Hook Head.
How did the SS Lismore sink?
SS Lismore foundered on July 11th, 1924, off Wexford, Ireland. 18 people lost their lives.
Is the SS Lismore protected?
Yes. SS Lismore is protected: protected wreck (over 100 years old) under the National Monuments Acts (National Monuments Service).