Cargo vessel · 1902–1917 · Donegal, Ireland

SS Roscommon

Owned in New Zealand, pressed into service by Britain and sunk by a German torpedo, the SS Roscommon ended her days off the Irish coast. Workman, Clark & Co. built her in Belfast in 1902 for the Union Steamship Co. of New Zealand, a cargo steamship of 8,238 GRT.

In the First World War she was taken up under the Liner Requisition Scheme, and on 21 August 1917, on passage from Manchester to Australia, she was caught about 20 miles northeast of Tory Island by U-53, commanded by Kapitanleutnant Hans Rose. No casualties were reported. Her wreck lies at 76 metres, among the deeper wrecks off Malin Head.

Type
Cargo vesselBritish
Year built
1902Workman, Clark & Co. Ltd., Belfast
Lost
August 21st, 1917Torpedo
Casualties
0World War I
Tonnage
8,238 GRTsteam
Depth
76 m
Location
Donegal, IrelandInner Seas off the West Coast of Scotland

4 of 7 facts above are cited in Sources below.

Deeper than 174 of the 185 wrecks on the map with a recorded depth.

History and LossLost August 21st, 1917 · Torpedo · World War I · Donegal, Ireland.

Carrying general cargo from Manchester to Australia, the Roscommon was sailing in a convoy that had put in at Lough Swilly on 20-21 August 1917. U-boats caught the convoy off the Donegal coast, and on 21 August U-53, under Kapitanleutnant Hans Rose, torpedoed her about 20 miles NE of Tory Island. No casualties were reported. When she was lost she was serving under the Liner Requisition Scheme.

Built 1902 by Workman, Clark & Co. Ltd., Belfast; 15 years in service. Lost August 21st, 1917, torpedo during World War I.

0lives lost on August 21st, 1917.

The Voyage

Last voyage
Manchester to Australia
Destination
Australia
Cargo
General cargo

Condition of the Wreckin 76–76 m.

Notable Features

  • Torpedoed by famous U-53 under Kapitanleutnant Hans Rose
  • One of the deeper Malin Head wrecks at 76m (254 ft)
  • Liner Requisition Scheme vessel
  • Part of convoy attacked off Donegal coast
  • No casualties

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
Workman, Clark & Co. Ltd., Belfast
Propulsion
Steam
Loss date
August 21st, 1917
Conflict / event
World War I
Latitude
55.49° N
Longitude
8.02° W
Water body
Inner Seas off the West Coast of Scotland
War grave
No
Protected
No
Permit required
No

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.

  • 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.
  • © Marine Institute. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.

A further 4 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 Roscommon?

SS Roscommon is the wreck of a cargo vessel, off Donegal, Ireland, at 76 metres. SS Roscommon was torpedoed in 1917.

How deep is the SS Roscommon?

SS Roscommon lies at approximately 76 metres, Approximately 20 miles NE of Tory Island.

How did the SS Roscommon sink?

SS Roscommon was torpedoed on August 21st, 1917 during World War I, off Donegal, Ireland. No lives were lost.

Is the SS Roscommon protected?

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