Sailing vessel · lost 1917 · Wexford, Ireland

SV Invercauld

Ornate ironwork on the bow, intact after more than a century on the seabed. The SV Invercauld (III) was a 1,416 GRT three-masted steel barque, 237.5 feet long, attacked by the German submarine U-84 on 22 February 1917 while carrying timber from Gulfport, Mississippi, to Fleetwood.

After sustaining damage approximately 22 miles southeast of Mine Head, she drifted and sank just south of the Coningmore Rocks near the Saltee Islands. The wreck sits remarkably upright at about 25 metres and is discernible throughout her entire length -- one of the most structurally intact wrecks in the Saltees group. The boilers rise 4 metres off the seabed.

Type
Sailing vessel
Lost
1917Torpedo / gunfire (U-84)
Depth
25 m
Location
Wexford, IrelandCeltic Sea

2 of 4 facts above are cited in Sources below.

Deeper than 67 of the 185 wrecks on the map with a recorded depth.

History and LossLost 1917 · Torpedo / gunfire (U-84) · World War I · Wexford, Ireland.

On 22 February 1917, the SV Invercauld (III), a three-masted steel barque of 1,416 GRT, was on a voyage from Gulfport, Mississippi, to Fleetwood, England, carrying a cargo of timber. She was attacked by the German submarine U-84, commanded by Walter Roehr, approximately 22 miles southeast of Mine Head on the Irish south coast.

After sustaining damage from torpedo or gunfire, the barque drifted and eventually sank just south of the Coningmore Rocks near the Saltee Islands, County Wexford.

Lost 1917, Torpedo / gunfire (U-84) during World War I.

Condition of the WreckLargely intact.

Intactness

Sitting remarkably upright and discernible throughout its entire length. The ornate bow is a standout feature worth detailed inspection. The boilers are the highest point of the wreck, rising approximately 4m off the seabed. Good overall structural integrity — one of the best-preserved wrecks in the Saltee Islands area.

Far more intact than the neighbouring SS Idaho wreck.

Notable Features

  • Ornate bow — worth detailed inspection
  • Boilers rising ~4m off seabed — highest point
  • Upright orientation throughout entire length
  • One of most intact wrecks in Saltee Islands group
  • Timber cargo from Gulfport Mississippi
  • 1416 GRT three-masted steel barque

Regulations and Restrictions

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

Additional Details9 further fields held for this wreck and not shown above.

Loss date
1917
Conflict / event
World War I
Latitude
52.08° N
Longitude
6.63° W
Water body
Celtic Sea
War grave
No
Protected
No
Permit required
No
Condition
Largely intact

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.

A further 3 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 SV Invercauld?

SV Invercauld is the wreck of a sailing vessel, off Wexford, Ireland, at 25 metres. SV Invercauld was torpedoed in 1917.

How deep is the SV Invercauld?

SV Invercauld lies at approximately 25 metres, South of Coningmore Rocks, off Saltee Islands.

How did the SV Invercauld sink?

SV Invercauld was torpedoed on 1917 during World War I, off Wexford, Ireland.

Is the SV Invercauld protected?

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