Cargo vessel · 1878–1918 · Dorset, United Kingdom
SS Moidart
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.
- Type
- Cargo vesselBritish
- Year built
- 1878
- Lost
- June 9th, 1918Torpedo
- Casualties
- 15World War I
- Tonnage
- 1,303 GRTsteam
- Length
- 74.1 m9.8 m beam
- Depth
- 33 m
- Location
- Dorset, United KingdomLyme Bay
6 of 8 facts above are cited in Sources below.
Deeper than 106 of the 185 wrecks on the map with a recorded depth.
- Tonnage: 1,303 GRT shown; range in sources 1,303–1,878 GRT. Other published figures exist (why sources disagree).
History and LossLost June 9th, 1918 · Torpedo · World War I · Dorset, United Kingdom.
A torpedo from UC-77 struck her starboard side close to the stern gun. She went down stern first within a minute, too quickly for anyone to launch a boat, and of her 21 crew only 6 lived; 15 were killed.
Built 1878; 40 years in service, also recorded as Moidart. Lost June 9th, 1918, torpedo during World War I.
The Voyage
- Cargo
- 1,550 tons Welsh coal and 80 tons steel plates (Cardiff to Le Havre)
Condition of the WreckBroken, lying bow pointing just east of north.
Intactness
She rests on the bottom at roughly 33 metres, with her bow aimed a little east of north.
Notable Features
- Rapid sinking — under one minute
- Welsh coal cargo
- WWI torpedo victim
Additional Details13 further fields held for this wreck and not shown above.
- Nationality
- British
- Flag
- United Kingdom
- Propulsion
- Steam
- Loss date
- June 9th, 1918
- Conflict / event
- World War I
- Latitude
- 50.5674° N
- Longitude
- 2.7881° W
- Water body
- Lyme Bay
- War grave
- No
- Protected
- No
- Permit required
- No
- Condition
- Broken
- Orientation
- Bow pointing just east of north
Sources and VerificationEvery cited fact on this page traces to a published source.
- UK Hydrographic Officedatahub.admiralty.co.uk · Official record6 facts
- underwaterexplorers.co.uk (archived)underwaterexplorers.co.uk · Secondary source8 facts
- oldharbourdivecentre.co.ukoldharbourdivecentre.co.uk · Secondary source7 facts
- trove.nla.gov.autrove.nla.gov.au · Secondary source3 facts
- naval-history.netnaval-history.net · Secondary source2 facts
- news.dorsetcouncil.gov.uknews.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk · Secondary source2 facts
- ahoy.tk-jk.netahoy.tk-jk.net · Secondary source1 fact
- hbsmrweb-dorset-staging.esdm.co.ukhbsmrweb-dorset-staging.esdm.co.uk · Secondary source1 fact
- Scimitar Divingscimitardiving.co.uk · Secondary source1 fact
- theorkneynews.scottheorkneynews.scot · Secondary source1 fact
- westbay.co.ukwestbay.co.uk · Secondary source1 fact
- Divernetdivernet.com · Club or operator8 facts
- Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org · Background reading3 facts
Background reading is listed for context and is not counted as a citation for the facts above.
- Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. © Crown copyright and database right.
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 Moidart?
SS Moidart is the wreck of a cargo vessel, off Dorset, United Kingdom, at 33 metres. SS Moidart was torpedoed in 1918.
How deep is the SS Moidart?
SS Moidart lies at approximately 33 metres, Lyme Bay, Dorset.
How did the SS Moidart sink?
SS Moidart was torpedoed on June 9th, 1918 during World War I, off Dorset, United Kingdom. 15 people lost their lives.