Cargo vessel · 1898–1917 · Dublin, Ireland

SS W.M. Barkley

Also known as W.M. Barkley, WM Barkley, William M Barkley.

Barrels of Guinness saved their lives. When the SS W.M. Barkley -- the first vessel of the famous Guinness fleet -- was torpedoed by UC-75 on 12 October 1917, she broke in two and sank within minutes just seven miles east of the Kish Lightship. Five crew died including the captain. But eight survivors escaped in an open lifeboat, buoyed by floating hogshead barrels of stout from the breached cargo hold.

Built in 1898 and sold to Guinness in 1913, the 569 GRT vessel was also the first Irish merchant ship defensively armed with guns against submarine attack during WWI. The wreck lies at approximately 55 metres about 16 miles east of Dublin Port. A historically significant wreck connecting Dublin's brewing heritage with the submarine warfare of the Great War.

Type
Cargo vesselBritish
Year built
1898Ailsa Shipbuilding Company, Troon, Scotland
Lost
October 12th, 1917Torpedo
Casualties
5World War I
Tonnage
569 GRTsteam
Length
86.6 m
Depth
30–55 m
Location
Dublin, IrelandIrish Sea

1 of 8 facts above is cited in Sources below.

Deeper than 157 of the 185 wrecks on the map with a recorded depth.

History and LossLost October 12th, 1917 · Torpedo · World War I · Dublin, Ireland.

On 12 October 1917, the SS W.M. Barkley departed Dublin Port carrying a cargo of Guinness stout in hogshead barrels bound for Liverpool. Approximately seven miles east of the Kish Lightship, she was torpedoed without warning by UC-75. The ship broke in two within minutes and sank rapidly. Five crew members were killed including the captain.

Eight survivors managed to escape in an open lifeboat. The floating barrels of stout from the breached cargo hold assisted the survivors in reaching safety.

Built 1898 by Ailsa Shipbuilding Company, Troon, Scotland; 19 years in service, also recorded as W.M. Barkley and WM Barkley and William M Barkley. Lost October 12th, 1917, torpedo during World War I.

5lives lost on October 12th, 1917.

The Voyage

Last voyage
Dublin to Liverpool
Final port
Dublin
Destination
Liverpool
Cargo
Barrels (Guinness cargo)

Condition of the WreckBroken, in 30–55 m.

Intactness

Dublin Port lies some 16 miles to the west of where her remains rest on the seabed.

Notable Features

  • First vessel of the Guinness fleet
  • First Irish merchant ship defensively armed in WWI
  • Cargo of Guinness stout — floating barrels saved survivors
  • Torpedoed by UC-75 near Kish Lightship
  • Connects Dublin brewing heritage with WWI submarine warfare

Regulations and Restrictions

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

Additional Details13 further fields held for this wreck and not shown above.

Nationality
British
Flag
United Kingdom
Builder
Ailsa Shipbuilding Company, Troon, Scotland
Propulsion
Steam
Loss date
October 12th, 1917
Conflict / event
World War I
Latitude
53.37° N
Longitude
5.66° W
Water body
Irish Sea
War grave
No
Protected
No
Permit required
No
Condition
Broken

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.
  • © 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 W.M. Barkley?

SS W.M. Barkley is the wreck of a cargo vessel, off Dublin, Ireland, at 55 metres. SS W.M. Barkley was torpedoed in 1917.

How deep is the SS W.M. Barkley?

SS W.M. Barkley lies at 30 to 55 metres, 7 miles east of Kish Lightship, off Dublin Bay.

How did the SS W.M. Barkley sink?

SS W.M. Barkley was torpedoed on October 12th, 1917 during World War I, off Dublin, Ireland. 5 people lost their lives.

Is the SS W.M. Barkley protected?

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