Cargo vessel · 1918–1945 · Devon, United Kingdom
SS Persier
Also known as Persier, War Buffalo.
Originally launched in the closing months of World War I as War Buffalo, the Persier spent her interwar years under the Belgian flag before the next conflict caught up with her. In February 1945, a torpedo struck her port side while she sailed in convoy just three miles from Eddystone. She limped into Bigbury Bay and grounded on a reef, where she remains today between 18 and 28 metres.
Discovered in 1969 by Plymouth Sound BSAC members, she became a closely guarded local favourite before word spread to the wider diving community.
- Type
- Cargo vesselBelgian
- Year built
- 1918Northumberland Shipbuilding Co Ltd
- Lost
- February 11th, 1945Torpedo
- Tonnage
- 5,382 GRTsteam
- Length
- 121.97 m15.93 m beam
- Depth
- 18–28 m
- Location
- Devon, United KingdomEnglish Channel
5 of 7 facts above are cited in Sources below.
Deeper than 81 of the 185 wrecks on the map with a recorded depth.
History and LossLost February 11th, 1945 · Torpedo · World War II · Devon, United Kingdom.
Torpedoed on the port side while part of a convoy, 3 nautical miles from Eddystone. Grounded on a reef in Bigbury Bay midway between Plymouth and Salcombe. Originally launched as War Buffalo in February 1918.
Built 1918 by Northumberland Shipbuilding Co Ltd; 27 years in service, also recorded as Persier and War Buffalo. Lost February 11th, 1945, torpedo during World War II.
Condition of the WreckBroken, in 18–28 m, on sand and reef.
Intactness
Plymouth Sound BSAC found her in May 1969. Her hull lies on sand beside a reef.
Notable Features
- Large 122m cargo steamer
- Discovered 1969 by Plymouth Sound BSAC
Additional Details14 further fields held for this wreck and not shown above.
- Nationality
- Belgian
- Flag
- Belgium
- Builder
- Northumberland Shipbuilding Co Ltd
- Propulsion
- Steam
- Loss date
- February 11th, 1945
- Conflict / event
- World War II
- Latitude
- 50.2853° N
- Longitude
- 3.9690° W
- Water body
- English Channel
- War grave
- No
- Protected
- No
- Permit required
- No
- Condition
- Broken
- Seabed
- Sand and reef
Sources and VerificationEvery cited fact on this page traces to a published source.
- Heritage Gateway (archived)heritagegateway.org.uk · Official record10 facts
- UK Hydrographic Officedatahub.admiralty.co.uk · Official record6 facts
- chippenhamdivers.co.ukchippenhamdivers.co.uk · Secondary source8 facts
- uboat.netuboat.net · Secondary source5 facts
- SHIPS Projectshipsproject.org · Secondary source4 facts
- teigndivingcentre.co.ukteigndivingcentre.co.uk · Secondary source4 facts
- ubootarchiv.deubootarchiv.de · Secondary source1 fact
- Divernetdivernet.com · Club or operator13 facts
- Plymouth Diversplymouthdivers.org.uk · Club or operator1 fact
- Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org · Background reading15 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 Persier?
SS Persier is the wreck of a cargo vessel, off Devon, United Kingdom, at 28 metres. SS Persier was torpedoed in 1945.
How deep is the SS Persier?
SS Persier lies at 18 to 28 metres, Bigbury Bay, midway between Plymouth and Salcombe, Devon.
How did the SS Persier sink?
SS Persier was torpedoed on February 11th, 1945 during World War II, off Devon, United Kingdom.