Aud (Ss) Wreck

Field Value
Aud (ss) Wreck Location
Marine Coordinates (DMM) 		51 42.679 N,8 14.420 W
Latitude, Longitude
Decimal Degrees
  • Latitude: 51.711320
  • Longitude: -8.240330
Name AUD (SS)
Type unknown
Date Sunk Apr 21, 1916
Original Source Clayton 2007; Dunne 2018; Spindler, 1965; Lloyd's List, No. 31, 779, Wed. 26th Apr. 1916, 8; UKHO Wreck Data 1996.
WRECK MAP LOADING ... 51 42.679 N,8 14.420 W
Aud (Ss) on Wreck Map Aud (Ss) Wreck on Google Map
Wreck No: W07957, Place of Loss: Cork Harbour Approaches, 9km south of Roches Point, Co Cork, Source of Coordinate: UKHO Wreck Data, Description: Originally an English merchant vessel, the 1228-ton steamship (L.250 x B.35 x D.16ft) was originally owned by the Wilson Line, Hull. Captured by the Germans in 1914, her name was changed from Castro to Libau and renamed again to Aud when disguised as a Norwegian freighter which she resembled and despatched to Ireland in 1916 to deliver a shipment of arms for the Easter Rising. She sailed from Wilhelmshaven, under Captain Karl Spindler, arriving off the Kerry coast on April 20th but, due to confused communications, it was unsuccessful in landing its cargo as planned in Fenit Harbour. The ship was subsequently intercepted by the Royal Navy while attempting to escape into the deeper waters of the Atlantic. While under escort to Queenstown Harbour, now Cobh, Co. Cork, the Captain of the Aud, Karl Spindler, scuttled the ship rather than have it fall into enemy hands. The Aud was carrying 20,000 rifles, captured from the Russians in 1914, a small number of machine guns, a number of giant “clockwork” bombs and I million rounds of ammunition. In the meantime, Sir Roger Casement, who had negotiated the arms shipment with Germany, was put ashore off a German U-Boat on Banna Strand on April 21st, in the hope of rendezvousing with the Aud. He was subsequently arrested, tried for treason and executed on August 3rd 1916. Two anchors were recovered from the wreck in 2012 by a dive team led by Eoin McGarry, working under the supervision of Laurence Dunne archaeologist. The anchors were subsequently conserved under the supervision of Ian Panter, Principal Conservator of York Archaeological Trust, in accordance with the requirements of the National Museum of Ireland and they were ready for display at Banna beach in time for the commemoration of the Easter Rising in Kerry in 2016. One anchor is now on display in Blennerville Windmill Museum, Tralee, Co. Kerry and the other in the visitor centre, Cobh Co. Cork. The wreck of the Aud and its contents belongs to the State. It is also protected under the 1987 National Monuments (amendment) Act which affords protection to all wrecks over 100 years old. ----------------------------

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FAQ

Where is the AUD (SS) wreck located?

The AUD (SS) wreck is located at coordinates 51 42.679 N,8 14.420 W.

When did the AUD (SS) sink?

The AUD (SS) sank on Apr 21, 1916.

What type of wreck is the AUD (SS)?

The AUD (SS) is classified as a unknown.

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