Captain Tolson and 18 men rowed 12 miles to Killiney Bay. Every one of them made it. On 13 January 1876, their ship -- the 478 GRT iron merchant steamer SS Vesper, laden with 620 tons of coal and sugar bound from Glasgow to Dunkirk -- had run aground on the Kish Bank and broken in two. Built by Courlay Bros of Dundee in 1865 for Huntley & Berner of Glasgow, the Vesper now lies at an estimated 10-15 metres on the shallow bank, approximately 11 kilometres off the Dublin coast. A protected archaeological site with LIVE status, the wreck provides a welcome oasis of marine life on the otherwise featureless sandy bank. Frequently dived alongside the nearby Bolivar. Boat dive from Dun Laoghaire, subject to tidal currents.
On 13 January 1876, the SS Vesper, a relatively new 60-horsepower iron steamer carrying 620 tons of coal and sugar from Glasgow to Dunkirk, ran aground on the Kish Bank in the Irish Sea. The vessel broke in two on the shallow sandbank. Captain Tolson and his crew of 18 hands took to the ship's boat and steered for land approximately 12 miles away, arriving safely in Killiney Bay. No lives were lost.
SS Vesper is a cargo vessel wreck located off Dublin, Ireland at a depth of 15 metres. The vessel was lost due to Grounding in 1876. The wreck is diveable.
SS Vesper lies at 10 to 15 metres depth, Kish Bank, ~11 km off Dublin coast.
SS Vesper ran aground on 13 January 1876, off Dublin, Ireland.
Diving the SS Vesper is rated intermediate and is suitable for divers with an Advanced Open Water certification or equivalent.
The best months to dive SS Vesper are May, June, July, August, September. Water temperature ranges from 7°C in winter to 15°C in summer.
SS Vesper is accessed by boat from Dun Laoghaire, Dublin, Ireland.
| Month | Temp | Visibility | Access | Marine life |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 7.0°C | 3.0m | poor | Minimal — winter conditions |
| Feb | 7.5°C | 3.0m | poor | Minimal — winter conditions |
| Mar | 8.0°C | 4.0m | poor | Minimal — winter conditions |
| Apr | 9.5°C | 5.0m | marginal | Moderate — season starting/ending |
| May | 11.0°C | 7.0m | good | Good — wrasse, pollock, crabs, anemones |
| Jun | 12.5°C | 8.0m | good | Good — wrasse, pollock, crabs, anemones |
| Jul | 14.0°C | 9.0m | good | Peak — seals, large shoals, nudibranchs, conger eels |
| Aug | 15.0°C | 9.0m | good | Peak — seals, large shoals, nudibranchs, conger eels |
| Sep | 14.0°C | 8.0m | good | Good — wrasse, pollock, crabs, anemones |
| Oct | 12.0°C | 5.0m | marginal | Good — wrasse, pollock, crabs, anemones |
| Nov | 10.0°C | 4.0m | marginal | Minimal — winter conditions |
| Dec | 8.5°C | 3.0m | poor | Minimal — winter conditions |
6 evidence records from 5 sources.
SS Vesper on Kish Bank. Frequently dived alongside nearby Bolivar wreck at ~12m.
SS Vesper listed as established Dublin Bay dive site on Kish Bank.
Numerous wrecks around Kish Bank including Vesper. Most wrecks protected by law and provide oases in sandy seabed for marine life.
SS Vesper, 60 HP iron steamer, laden with 620 tons coal and sugar, ran aground Kish Bank 13 January 1876. Broke in two. Captain Tolson and 18 crew rowed 12 miles to Killiney Bay.
SS Vesper ran aground on Kish Bank 13 January 1876. 620 tons coal and sugar. Captain Tolson and 18 crew.
SS Vesper, 478 GRT, built 1865 Courlay Bros Dundee, owned Huntley & Berner Glasgow. Ran aground Kish Bank. Broke into two. Glasgow to Dunkirk voyage.
Kish Bank, ~11 km off Dublin coast