Cargo vessel · 1888–1899 · Cork, Ireland

SS Oswestry

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. 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.

Type
Cargo vesselBritish
Year built
1888E. Withy & Co., West Hartlepool
Lost
March 12th, 1899Grounding
Casualties
0
Tonnage
2,419 GRTsteam
Length
91.4 m
Depth
15–20 m
Location
Cork, IrelandAtlantic Ocean

4 of 8 facts above are cited in Sources below.

Deeper than 50 of the 185 wrecks on the map with a recorded depth.

History and LossLost March 12th, 1899 · Grounding · Cork, Ireland.

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.

Built 1888 by E. Withy & Co., West Hartlepool; 11 years in service, also recorded as Oswestery. Lost March 12th, 1899, grounding.

0lives lost on March 12th, 1899.

The Voyage

Cargo
Cotton, deal, Indian maize, lead and copper bars

Condition of the WreckScattered, in 15–20 m.

Intactness

Little structure remains. The wreck is wedged on the north side of a towering rock stack 500m north of Mizen Head. Copper and lead bar cargo debris is scattered across the site. The 40kg copper ingots could be found until recent years — a couple are still visible but resist all attempts to move them.

Notable Features

  • Copper and lead bar cargo debris scattered across site
  • 40kg copper ingots — some still visible
  • Wedged against towering rock stack 500m north of Mizen Head
  • Sometimes mistakenly called the Irada (different 1908 wreck)
  • Easy to find at 15-20m depth

Regulations and Restrictions

Protected wreck (over 100 years old) under the National Monuments Acts (National Monuments Service).

Additional Details12 further fields held for this wreck and not shown above.

Nationality
British
Flag
United Kingdom
Builder
E. Withy & Co., West Hartlepool
Propulsion
Steam
Loss date
March 12th, 1899
Latitude
51.46° N
Longitude
9.82° W
Water body
Atlantic Ocean
War grave
No
Protected
No
Permit required
No
Condition
Scattered

Sources and VerificationEvery cited fact on this page traces to a published source.

  • © Government of Ireland. National Monuments Service, Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
  • © Marine Institute. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.

A further 5 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 Oswestry?

SS Oswestry is the wreck of a cargo vessel, off Cork, Ireland, at 20 metres. SS Oswestry ran aground and was wrecked in 1899.

How deep is the SS Oswestry?

SS Oswestry lies at 15 to 20 metres, 500m north of Mizen Head, wedged on the north side of a towering rock stack, Dunlough Bay.

How did the SS Oswestry sink?

SS Oswestry ran aground and was wrecked on March 12th, 1899, off Cork, Ireland. No lives were lost.

Is the SS Oswestry protected?

Yes. SS Oswestry is protected: protected wreck (over 100 years old) under the National Monuments Acts (National Monuments Service).