Also known as: Rohilla
Few wrecks carry the emotional weight of the Rohilla. This Harland & Wolff-built liner had been requisitioned as a hospital ship just weeks into the First World War and was steaming south from Scotland to collect wounded soldiers from France when a northeast gale drove her onto Whitby Rock in the early hours of 30 October 1914. With shore lights blacked out for wartime, her crew never saw the reef. What followed was a three-day rescue drama that gripped the nation — lifeboats launching repeatedly into mountainous seas, spectators lining the cliffs, and 83 lives lost despite extraordinary courage from the rescuers. Most of the dead were doctors and nurses. Today the wreck lies flattened in shallow water off Saltwick Bay, accessible as a shore dive when conditions allow. The site is a war grave. At low spring tides, structural remains break the surface — a stark reminder visible to anyone walking the coastal path above.
Struck Whitby Rock (reef at Saltwick) south of Whitby during a severe northeast gale. Shore lighthouses were unlit during wartime blackout. Rescue operations continued over three harrowing days. Of 229 aboard, 83 were lost — mostly medical staff heading to tend wounded soldiers in France.
SS Rohilla is a passenger liner wreck located off Yorkshire, United Kingdom at a depth of 10 metres. The vessel was lost due to grounding in 1914. The wreck is diveable.
SS Rohilla lies at 3 to 10 metres depth, Off Saltwick Bay Nab, ~600m from shore south of Whitby.
SS Rohilla ran aground on 30 October 1914 during World War I, off Yorkshire, United Kingdom. 83 people lost their lives.
Diving the SS Rohilla is rated beginner and is suitable for newly certified Open Water divers. Minimum certification: Open Water.
The best months to dive SS Rohilla are May, June, July, August, September. Water temperature ranges from 6°C in winter to 15°C in summer.
SS Rohilla is accessed by shore from Whitby, Yorkshire, United Kingdom. The wreck is a designated war grave.
| Month | Temp | Visibility | Access | Marine life |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 6.0°C | 3.0m | poor | Minimal — winter conditions |
| Feb | 6.0°C | 3.0m | poor | Minimal — winter conditions |
| Mar | 6.5°C | 4.0m | poor | Minimal — winter conditions |
| Apr | 7.5°C | 5.0m | marginal | Moderate — season starting |
| May | 9.0°C | 6.0m | good | Good — crabs, lobster, wrasse, pollock |
| Jun | 11.0°C | 8.0m | good | Good — crabs, lobster, wrasse, pollock |
| Jul | 13.0°C | 10.0m | good | Peak — lobster, crabs, wrasse, flatfish, seals |
| Aug | 15.0°C | 10.0m | good | Peak — lobster, crabs, wrasse, flatfish, seals |
| Sep | 14.0°C | 8.0m | good | Good — crabs, lobster, wrasse, pollock |
| Oct | 11.0°C | 5.0m | marginal | Moderate — season closing |
| Nov | 8.5°C | 4.0m | poor | Minimal — winter conditions |
| Dec | 7.0°C | 3.0m | poor | Minimal — winter conditions |
3 evidence records from 3 sources.
Hospital ship, 7114 GRT. Struck Whitby Rock 30 October 1914. 83 of 229 aboard lost in three-day rescue.
Most famous Whitby shipwreck. Hospital ship carrying medical staff. Shore lighthouses unlit in wartime.
Built 1906 by Harland & Wolff, Belfast. 460.1 ft long, 56 ft beam. 7,114 GRT.
Off Saltwick Bay Nab, ~600m from shore south of Whitby