Also known as: Oswestery
Copper ingots weighing 40 kilograms each -- some are still down there, visible but stubbornly immovable. The SS Oswestry was a 2,419-ton steel steamship wrecked in fog on the north side of Mizen Head on 12 March 1899, carrying cotton, deal, Indian maize, and valuable lead and copper bars worth approximately 250,000 euros in modern terms. Captain Wilson and all 24 crew were saved by locals. The wreck at 15-20 metres is wedged against a towering rock stack 500 metres north of Mizen Head, making it easy to find. Described as one of the most impressive rummage dives imaginable, the site is littered with copper and lead bar cargo debris. Sometimes mistakenly called the Irada, which was actually a different ship wrecked at Mizen Head in 1908. Built in 1888 by E. Withy & Co., West Hartlepool.
On 12 March 1899, the Oswestry was on voyage from Newport and Norfolk, Virginia, to Manchester carrying cotton, deal, Indian maize, and valuable lead and copper bars. She ran aground in dense fog on the north side of Mizen Head in Dunlough Bay. Captain Wilson and the crew of 24 were all saved by local people.
SS Oswestry is a cargo vessel wreck located off Cork, Ireland at a depth of 20 metres. The vessel was lost due to grounding in 1899. The wreck is diveable.
SS Oswestry lies at 15 to 20 metres depth, 500m north of Mizen Head, wedged on the north side of a towering rock stack, Dunlough Bay.
SS Oswestry ran aground on 12 March 1899, off Cork, Ireland. 0 people lost their lives.
Diving the SS Oswestry is rated beginner and is suitable for newly certified Open Water divers.
The best months to dive SS Oswestry are May, June, July, August, September. Water temperature ranges from 9°C in winter to 16°C in summer.
SS Oswestry is accessed by shore or boat from Schull, Cork, Ireland.
| Month | Temp | Visibility | Access | Marine life |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 9.0°C | 6.0m | poor | Minimal — winter conditions |
| Feb | 9.0°C | 6.0m | poor | Minimal — winter conditions |
| Mar | 9.5°C | 7.0m | poor | Minimal — winter conditions |
| Apr | 10.5°C | 8.0m | marginal | Moderate — season starting/ending |
| May | 12.0°C | 10.0m | good | Good — wrasse, pollock, crabs, anemones |
| Jun | 13.5°C | 12.0m | good | Good — wrasse, pollock, crabs, anemones |
| Jul | 15.0°C | 14.0m | good | Peak — seals, large shoals, nudibranchs, conger eels |
| Aug | 16.0°C | 14.0m | good | Peak — seals, large shoals, nudibranchs, conger eels |
| Sep | 15.0°C | 12.0m | good | Good — wrasse, pollock, crabs, anemones |
| Oct | 13.0°C | 9.0m | marginal | Good — wrasse, pollock, crabs, anemones |
| Nov | 11.0°C | 7.0m | marginal | Minimal — winter conditions |
| Dec | 10.0°C | 6.0m | poor | Minimal — winter conditions |
5 evidence records from 5 sources.
Cargo included cotton, deal, Indian maize, and valuable goods including lead and copper bars. Copper ingots sometimes cause the wreck to be mistakenly identified as the Irada.
SS Oswestry at 15-20m, shallow and easy to find. Shore or boat access from Mizen Head area.
SS Oswestry, 2419 tons, built E Withy & Co Hartlepool 1888. Owned Sivewright, Bacon & Co. Wrecked in fog on north side of Mizen Head. Voyage from Newport & Norfolk VA to Manchester. Cargo: cotton, deal, Indian maize. Captain Wilson and crew of 24 saved by locals.
Owned by Sivewright, Bacon & Co. Wrecked in fog on north side of Mizen Head. Captain Wilson and 24 crew saved by locals.
Remains of Oswestry lie wedged on north side of towering stack 500m north of Mizen Head. 40kg copper ingots from cargo could be found until recent years. Little structure left but wreck easy to find at 15-20m. Most impressive rummage dive.
500m north of Mizen Head, wedged on the north side of a towering rock stack, Dunlough Bay