Beneath the boilers, conger eels the size of your arm wait in the darkness. The SS Marlay is a moody, atmospheric wreck -- dark conditions, poor visibility, and the constant sense that you are not alone down here. This 800-ton steel collier, built in Belfast in 1890, sank in a December 1902 storm when heavy seas breached the hatches on her coal holds. Fifteen of 16 crew perished. She lies on her side at 25-35 metres, hull fairly intact, approximately 5.8 kilometres northwest of the Baily Lighthouse on Howth Head. Three boilers show at low tide. Lobsters, crabs, whiting, and bib populate the wreck alongside the resident congers. Care is needed around holes in the hull -- accidental entry is a real risk. The boat dive from Dun Laoghaire crosses the Dublin Port shipping lane.
In December 1902, the SS Marlay was caught in a severe storm in the Irish Sea. Heavy seas breached the hatches covering her coal holds, flooding the ship. She sank approximately 4 km east of Howth Head in Dublin Bay. Only 1 of the 16 crew survived — the remaining 15 men were lost with the ship.
SS Marlay is a cargo vessel wreck located off Dublin, Ireland at a depth of 35 metres. The vessel was lost due to Foundering (storm) in 1902. The wreck is diveable.
SS Marlay lies at 25 to 35 metres depth, ~5.8 km NW of Baily Lighthouse, Howth.
SS Marlay was lost due to Foundering (storm) on 1 December 1902, off Dublin, Ireland. 15 people lost their lives.
Diving the SS Marlay is rated advanced and is requires an Advanced Open Water certification with wreck diving experience.
The best months to dive SS Marlay are May, June, July, August, September. Water temperature ranges from 7°C in winter to 15°C in summer.
SS Marlay is accessed by boat from Dun Laoghaire, Dublin, Ireland.
| Month | Temp | Visibility | Access | Marine life |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 7.0°C | 3.0m | poor | Minimal — winter conditions |
| Feb | 7.5°C | 3.0m | poor | Minimal — winter conditions |
| Mar | 8.0°C | 4.0m | poor | Minimal — winter conditions |
| Apr | 9.5°C | 5.0m | marginal | Moderate — season starting/ending |
| May | 11.0°C | 7.0m | good | Good — wrasse, pollock, crabs, anemones |
| Jun | 12.5°C | 8.0m | good | Good — wrasse, pollock, crabs, anemones |
| Jul | 14.0°C | 9.0m | good | Peak — seals, large shoals, nudibranchs, conger eels |
| Aug | 15.0°C | 9.0m | good | Peak — seals, large shoals, nudibranchs, conger eels |
| Sep | 14.0°C | 8.0m | good | Good — wrasse, pollock, crabs, anemones |
| Oct | 12.0°C | 5.0m | marginal | Good — wrasse, pollock, crabs, anemones |
| Nov | 10.0°C | 4.0m | marginal | Minimal — winter conditions |
| Dec | 8.5°C | 3.0m | poor | Minimal — winter conditions |
5 evidence records from 3 sources.
Lies on its side. Hull fairly intact. Dark conditions. Large conger eels especially under boilers. Lobsters, crabs, whiting, bib. Storm-damaged lobster pots.
Lies on its side. Hull fairly intact. Dark conditions. Large conger eels especially under boilers.
SS Marlay, 5.8 km NW of Baily lighthouse on Howth. Boat dive from Dun Laoghaire, ~14 km. Cross Dublin Port shipping lane.
SS Marlay steam collier sank 4km E of Howth Head Dublin in December 1902. Storm breached hatches on coal holds.
SS Marlay 5.8 km NW of Baily lighthouse. Three boilers show at low tide. Boat dive ~14 km from Dun Laoghaire crossing shipping lane.
~5.8 km NW of Baily Lighthouse, Howth