Cargo vessel · 1917–1935 · Argyll, United Kingdom

SS Rondo

Also known as Rondo, War Wonder.

There is nothing quite like dropping onto the Rondo for the first time. This former wartime standard cargo ship — originally launched as War Wonder — sank in a January storm in 1935 and came to rest on a steep cliff face at an angle of roughly 35 degrees. Descending along her hull feels like walking down a tilted skyscraper draped in white plumose anemones and orange soft corals. Every surface pulses with life.

Normally buoyed, she is the showpiece of any Sound of Mull trip.

Type
Cargo vessel
Year built
1917Tampa Shipbuilding & Drydock Company, Florida
Lost
January 25th, 1935Foundering
Length
80 m
Depth
5–50 m
Location
Argyll, United KingdomInner Seas off the West Coast of Scotland

4 of 6 facts above are cited in Sources below.

Deeper than 149 of the 185 wrecks on the map with a recorded depth.

History and LossLost January 25th, 1935 · Foundering · Argyll, United Kingdom.

Sank whilst seeking shelter from a storm in the Sound of Mull. The vessel came to rest on a steep underwater cliff face, resulting in her famous near-vertical orientation.

Built 1917 by Tampa Shipbuilding & Drydock Company, Florida; 18 years in service, also recorded as Rondo and War Wonder. Lost January 25th, 1935, foundering.

Condition of the WreckLargely intact, lying near-vertical on cliff face, bow at 50m, stern rising to 5m, in 5–50 m.

Intactness

She is known for lying almost vertically down a cliff face, on an average slope of approximately 35 degrees. Every surface is coated with soft corals and plumose anemones.

Notable Features

  • Near-vertical orientation on cliff face
  • Rudder post at 5m (shallowest)
  • Bow at 50m
  • Dense plumose anemone covering
  • Soft coral gardens

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

Builder
Tampa Shipbuilding & Drydock Company, Florida
Propulsion
Steam
Loss date
January 25th, 1935
Latitude
56.5383° N
Longitude
5.9125° W
Water body
Inner Seas off the West Coast of Scotland
War grave
No
Protected
No
Permit required
No
Condition
Largely intact
Orientation
Near-vertical on cliff face, bow at 50m, stern rising to 5m

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

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. Historic Environment Scotland.
  • Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. © Crown copyright and database right.

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 Rondo?

SS Rondo is the wreck of a cargo vessel, off Argyll, United Kingdom, at 50 metres. SS Rondo foundered in 1935.

How deep is the SS Rondo?

SS Rondo lies at 5 to 50 metres, Sound of Mull, on steep cliff face.

How did the SS Rondo sink?

SS Rondo foundered on January 25th, 1935, off Argyll, United Kingdom.