Cargo vessel · lost 1918 · Dublin, Ireland

SS Polwell

Also known as Polwell, SS Polewell.

Not all U-boat captains were merciless. On 5 June 1918, SM U-96 surfaced three nautical miles northeast of Lambay Island and fired a warning shot across the bows of the SS Polwell, a British cargo steamer carrying coal from Troon to France. The crew of 30 abandoned ship in two lifeboats. Only then did the submarine fire a single shot amidships, sinking the Polwell.

All crew survived, landing at Rockabill lighthouse off Skerries an hour later. The wreck at approximately 30 metres is broken into three sections, with the bow detached from the rest of the vessel. Surveyed by INFOMAR as part of marine heritage documentation of WWI wrecks in the western Irish Sea. An 86.6-metre coal carrier with an unexpectedly humane story.

Type
Cargo vesselBritish
Lost
June 5th, 1918Gunfire
Casualties
0World War I
Length
86.6 m
Depth
30 m
Location
Dublin, IrelandIrish Sea

1 of 6 facts above is cited in Sources below.

Deeper than 88 of the 185 wrecks on the map with a recorded depth.

History and LossLost June 5th, 1918 · Gunfire · World War I · Dublin, Ireland.

On 5 June 1918, the SS Polwell was approaching the Irish coast carrying coal from Troon to France when SM U-96 surfaced and fired a warning shot across her bows. The crew of 30 abandoned ship in two lifeboats. The submarine then fired a single shot amidships, sinking the Polwell. All crew survived and reached Rockabill lighthouse off Skerries within an hour.

Unlike many WWI sinkings, the submarine captain allowed the crew to evacuate before sinking the vessel.

Lost June 5th, 1918, gunfire during World War I.

0lives lost on June 5th, 1918.

The Voyage

Last voyage
Troon to France
Destination
France
Cargo
Coal

Condition of the Wreckin 30–30 m.

Intactness

Broken into three sections. The bow section is detached from the rest of the vessel and lies separately. INFOMAR multibeam survey has documented the wreck site.

Notable Features

  • Crew given warning to abandon before sinking — all 30 survived
  • Broken into three sections
  • Bow detached 150m from main wreck
  • Surveyed by INFOMAR
  • Near Lambay Island and Rockabill lighthouse

Regulations and Restrictions

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

Additional Details11 further fields held for this wreck and not shown above.

Nationality
British
Flag
United Kingdom
Propulsion
Steam
Loss date
June 5th, 1918
Conflict / event
World War I
Latitude
53.55° N
Longitude
5.93° W
Water body
Irish Sea
War grave
No
Protected
No
Permit required
No

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

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

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 Polwell?

SS Polwell is the wreck of a cargo vessel, off Dublin, Ireland, at 30 metres. SS Polwell was sunk by gunfire in 1918.

How deep is the SS Polwell?

SS Polwell lies at approximately 30 metres, 3 nautical miles northeast of Lambay Island, 8km NE of Lambay.

How did the SS Polwell sink?

SS Polwell was sunk by gunfire on June 5th, 1918 during World War I, off Dublin, Ireland. No lives were lost.

Is the SS Polwell protected?

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