Also known as: Moidart
The Moidart's story is one of the most harrowing of the U-boat war. On 9 June 1918, this schooner-rigged steamer was carrying 1,550 tons of Welsh coal and 80 tons of steel plates from Cardiff to Le Havre when UC-77's torpedo struck to starboard near the stern gun. She went down by the stern in less than sixty seconds — so violently fast that not a single lifeboat could be launched. Fifteen of her twenty-one crew perished, many trapped below or thrown into the water alongside the ship. Only six men survived. She rests at 33 metres in Lyme Bay with her bow pointing just east of north, a sombre but compelling dive that puts you face to face with the human cost of unrestricted submarine warfare. The depth and exposed position demand respect, but for advanced divers comfortable in these conditions, the Moidart is a powerful experience.
Torpedoed by UC-77 to starboard near the stern gun. Sank by the stern within a minute, so fast that no boats could be launched. Of 21 crew, 15 were killed and only 6 survived.
SS Moidart is a cargo vessel wreck located off Dorset, United Kingdom at a depth of 33 metres. The vessel was lost due to torpedo in 1918. The wreck is diveable.
SS Moidart lies at approximately 33 metres depth, Lyme Bay, Dorset.
SS Moidart was torpedoed on 9 June 1918 during World War I, off Dorset, United Kingdom. 15 people lost their lives.
Diving the SS Moidart is rated advanced and is requires an Advanced Open Water certification with wreck diving experience. Minimum certification: PADI Deep Diver or equivalent. Recommended: PADI Deep Diver / BSAC Dive Leader.
The best months to dive SS Moidart are April, May, June, July, August, September, October. Water temperature ranges from 7°C in winter to 18°C in summer.
SS Moidart is accessed by boat from Portland, Dorset, United Kingdom.
| Month | Temp | Visibility | Access | Marine life |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 7.0°C | 4.0m | poor | Minimal — winter conditions |
| Feb | 7.5°C | 4.0m | poor | Minimal — winter conditions |
| Mar | 8.0°C | 5.0m | marginal | Minimal — winter conditions |
| Apr | 9.5°C | 6.0m | good | Moderate — season starting |
| May | 11.0°C | 8.0m | good | Good — cuttlefish, wrasse, pollack, nudibranchs |
| Jun | 13.5°C | 12.0m | good | Good — cuttlefish, wrasse, pollack, nudibranchs |
| Jul | 16.0°C | 16.0m | good | Peak — cuttlefish, large shoals, conger eels, nudibranchs, bass |
| Aug | 18.0°C | 20.0m | good | Peak — cuttlefish, large shoals, conger eels, nudibranchs, bass |
| Sep | 17.0°C | 15.0m | good | Good — cuttlefish, wrasse, pollack, nudibranchs |
| Oct | 14.0°C | 8.0m | good | Good — wrasse, pollack |
| Nov | 10.5°C | 6.0m | marginal | Minimal — winter conditions |
| Dec | 8.5°C | 4.0m | poor | Minimal — winter conditions |
2 evidence records from 2 sources.
Seabed ~33m. Bow pointing just east of north. 1,303 GRT. Cargo: 1,550 tons Welsh coal + 80 tons steel plates.
Schooner-rigged steamer. Torpedoed by UC-77 to starboard near stern gun, 9 June 1918. Sank by stern within a minute. 15 of 21 crew killed.
Lyme Bay, Dorset