First blood from the Berlin minefield. On 23 October 1914, the German auxiliary cruiser SMS Berlin laid 200 mines off northwest Ireland on her very first wartime mission. Four days later, the SS Manchester Commerce sailed straight into them while bound from Manchester to Quebec. Fourteen crew died including the Master. On the same day, the same minefield claimed a far more famous victim: the dreadnought battleship HMS Audacious. The Manchester Commerce, a cargo steamship of 5,363 GRT built by Furness Withy & Co., rests at 83 metres -- a deep technical dive requiring trimix, accessed by a long boat transit from the Donegal coast. One of the deeper Malin Head wrecks, demanding extensive deep diving experience.
On 27 October 1914, while bound from Manchester to Quebec, the Manchester Commerce struck a mine approximately 20 miles NE of Tory Island. The mine was from a field of 200 laid just four days earlier on 23 October 1914 by the German auxiliary cruiser SMS Berlin, which had been taken over by the Imperial German Navy in August 1914 and commissioned in October as an auxiliary cruiser and fast minelayer. The Manchester Commerce was the first victim of Berlin's minefield. 14 crew were lost including the Master. On the same day, the same minefield claimed the far more famous victim HMS Audacious.
SS Manchester Commerce is a cargo vessel wreck located off Donegal, Ireland at a depth of 83 metres. The vessel was lost due to mine in 1914. The wreck is diveable.
SS Manchester Commerce lies at approximately 83 metres depth, Approximately 20 miles NE of Tory Island.
SS Manchester Commerce struck a mine on 27 October 1914 during World War I, off Donegal, Ireland. 14 people lost their lives.
Diving the SS Manchester Commerce is rated technical and is requires technical diving qualifications including decompression procedures. Recommended: Advanced trimix diver.
The best months to dive SS Manchester Commerce are June, July, August, September. Water temperature ranges from 8°C in winter to 14°C in summer.
SS Manchester Commerce is accessed by boat from Malin Head, Donegal, Ireland.
| Month | Temp | Visibility | Access | Marine life |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 8.0°C | 5.0m | poor | Minimal — winter conditions |
| Feb | 8.0°C | 5.0m | poor | Minimal — winter conditions |
| Mar | 8.5°C | 6.0m | poor | Minimal — winter conditions |
| Apr | 9.5°C | 7.0m | marginal | Moderate — season starting/ending |
| May | 10.5°C | 9.0m | marginal | Moderate — season starting/ending |
| Jun | 12.0°C | 14.0m | good | Good — wrasse, pollock, crabs, anemones |
| Jul | 13.0°C | 18.0m | good | Peak — seals, large shoals, nudibranchs, conger eels |
| Aug | 14.0°C | 18.0m | good | Peak — seals, large shoals, nudibranchs, conger eels |
| Sep | 13.0°C | 14.0m | good | Good — wrasse, pollock, crabs, anemones |
| Oct | 11.0°C | 7.0m | poor | Moderate — season starting/ending |
| Nov | 9.5°C | 6.0m | marginal | Minimal — winter conditions |
| Dec | 8.5°C | 5.0m | poor | Minimal — winter conditions |
6 evidence records from 6 sources.
SS Manchester Commerce at 274 ft (83m). Listed among Malin Head area technical dive sites.
SMS Berlin taken over by Imperial German Navy August 1914. Commissioned October 1914 as auxiliary cruiser and fast minelayer. First mission: laid 200 mines off northwest coast of Ireland on 23 October. First victim was British cargo ship Manchester Commerce.
SS Manchester Commerce mined and sunk 27 October 1914, 20 miles NE of Tory Island. 14 lives lost including the Master. Mine from SMS Berlin minefield.
Struck mine from SMS Berlin minefield 20 miles NE of Tory Island, 27 October 1914. 14 crew lost including Master. Same minefield sank HMS Audacious.
SS Manchester Commerce, 5363 GRT, British merchantship, mined and sunk 27 October 1914 when 20 miles NE of Tory Island. 14 lives lost including the Master.
Manchester Commerce among the deep wrecks accessible from the Malin Head dive area.
Approximately 20 miles NE of Tory Island