Countess Of Erne Wreck

Field Value
Wreck Category dangerous wreck
Countess of erne Wreck Location
Marine Coordinates (DMM) 		50 35.192 N,2 25.172 W
Latitude, Longitude
Decimal Degrees
  • Latitude: 50.586533
  • Longitude: -2.419533
Wreck Depth 7.8 m
Water Depth 12 m
Water Level Effect always under water/submerged
Vertical Datum Approximate Lowest Astronomical Tide
Name COUNTESS OF ERNE
Type steam ship
Flag GB
Length 73.5 m
Width 8.8 m
Sonar Length 72
Sonar Width 9.1
Shadow Height 4.9
Orientation 131
Tonnage 830
Tonnage Type gross
Conspic Visual not visually conspicuous
Conspic Radar not radar conspicuous
Date Sunk Sep 16, 1935
Original Detection Year 1967
Last Detection Year 2008
Original Source diver
Surveying Details 7.8.67 DIVED ON IN 503416.5N, 022509.0W AND BELIEVED TO BE THE 'HIMALAYA'. REPD THAT WK IS DANGEROUS, A STEEL HAWSER FRAYING ETC. WELL SILTED UP. HULL INTACT AND LYING PARALLEL TO HARBOUR WALL. SOME UPPER SUPERSTRUCTURE STILL VISIBLE, BOLLARDS ETC. TORPEDO SHAPED OBJECT CLOSE TO WK, POSSIBLY A BOMB. (T SIMS, BATTERSEA BRANCH BSAC). CHART AS DWP IN 503511N, 022509W. BR STD. 8.8.67 DIVERS STATE THAT IT IS NOT A SHELL BUT AN OLD TORPEDO CASING THAT LIES CLOSE TO THE WRECK. (QM PORTLAND TELECON DTD 8.8.67). NCA. H1310/74/56 12.2.75 WRECK IS BELIEVED TO BE THE 'COUNTESS OF ERNE' IN 503511N, 022509W. REASONS GIVEN ARE [1] NEWSPAPER ARTICLE [2] TRINITY HOUSE PILOT AND ADMIRALTY TUG SKIPPER CONFIRMED THE SINKING AND POSITION [3] CONFIRMED BY QHM PORTLAND. (C G FOX, OXFORD BSAC, DTD 3.2.75, [H1310/74/56 REFERS]). NCA. H1310/75 17.2.75 REPORTED TO LIE PARALLEL WITH THE BREAKWATER BOWS POINTING SE, UPRIGHT AND FAIRLY WELL INTACT. STANDING ABOUT 20FT OFF THE BOTTOM. NO SUPERSTRUCTURE REMAINS. (C G FOX, DTD 13.2.75). NCA. H1310/75 11.3.75 POSN REPD TO BE 301DEGS, 0.7C FROM THE LT ON THE S END OF THE NE BREAKWATER. (C G FOX, DTD 3.3.75). NCA. H1286/75 19.8.75 APPEARS TO BE A SMALL COASTER LYING ON AN EVEN KEEL. THE HULL IS STRAIGHT STEMMED WITH ROUNDED BOWS AND IS MOSTLY INTACT. FOUR HOLDS WITH WHAT APPEARS TO BE THE REMAINS OF A MAST BETWEEN NUMBER 2 AND 3 HOLD. IT IS SURMISED THAT THE SUPERSTRUCTURE LAY AFT BUT TIME PRECLUDED A CLOSE EXAMINATION. THE VESSEL LIES PARALLEL TO THE BREAKWATER, WITH BOWS TOWARD 'A' HEAD. (M J HARGREAVES). NCA. H4613/73 11.5.79 EXAM'D BY HMS BRONNINGTON. SONAR TRACE SUPPORTS MR HARGREAVES DESCRIPTION. (PLESSEY ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS LTD, DTD 3.5.79). NCA. H5249/76 30.4.81 DIVED ON 4.4.81. LENGTH AT WATERLINE WAS 251FT. COAL FOUND INSIDE HULL. (W E BUTLAND, DTD APR '81). LEAST DEPTH, AT BOW 6.2MTRS, AT STERN 6.6MTRS IN 503509.5N, 022506W [OGB], LENGTH 85MTRS, BEAM 15MTRS. (SURVEY [K8101/1]). NE 2268. HH100/351/21 19.11.03 DIVED IN LISTED POSN. STANDS 5MTRS HIGH BY DEPTH GAUGE. UPRIGHT AND RELATIVELY INTACT. PARALLEL TO BASE OF BREAKWATER. BOWS SE. (C R POOLE). NCA. 14.10.04 EUT POSN: 5035.193N, 0225.179W. NE 2268. HH091/217/01 / SEP 2009/000158351 2.11.09 EXAM'D 25.3.08 IN 5035.192N, 0225.172W [WGD] USING DGPS. LEAST M/B DEPTH 7.82MTRS IN GEN DEPTH 12.7MTRS. NO SCOUR. LENGTH 72.0MTRS, WIDTH 9.1MTRS, HT 4.91MTRS. LIES 131/311DEGS WITH BOWS SE. NO SUPERSTRUCTURE. POSSIBLY BREAKING UP AT THE STERN. (HMSML GLEANER, HI 1217). AMEND TO DWP 7.8MTRS. BR STD.
Last Amended Date Nov 2, 2009

Circumstances of loss

ORIGINALLY BUILT AS PASSENGER CAROG STEAMER ON THE DUBLIN TO HOLYHEAD ROUTE. FITTED FOR 123 1ST CLASS, 600 STEERAGE PASSENGERS AND 700 TONS CARGO OR CATTLE. SERIOUSLY DAMAGED IN 1883 IN COLLISION WITH SS CAPTAIN PARRY AND OFFERED FOR SALE BY AUCTION IN LIVERPOOL IN 1889. BOUGHT BY BRISTOL STEAM NAVIGATION CO AND USED FOR TWO YEARS. SOLD FOR SCRAP BUT CONVERED TO A COAL HULK AND USED AT SEVERAL PORTS, ENDING UP AT PORTLAND. BROKE LOOSE FROM MOORINGS, HIT BREAKWATER & SANK. (SIBI)

General Comments

UPRIGHT, INTACT, BOWS SE

WRECK MAP LOADING ... 50 35.192 N,2 25.172 W
Countess Of Erne on Wreck Map Countess Of Erne Wreck on Google Map

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FAQ

Where is the COUNTESS OF ERNE wreck located?

The COUNTESS OF ERNE wreck is located at coordinates 50 35.192 N,2 25.172 W.

How deep is the COUNTESS OF ERNE and where exactly is it located?

The COUNTESS OF ERNE lies at a depth of about 7.8 meters and is located at coordinates 50 35.192 N,2 25.172 W.

How deep is the seabed around the COUNTESS OF ERNE?

The seabed around the COUNTESS OF ERNE lies at approximately 12 meters deep.

When did the COUNTESS OF ERNE sink?

The COUNTESS OF ERNE sank on Sep 16, 1935.

When was the wreck of the COUNTESS OF ERNE discovered?

The wreck of the COUNTESS OF ERNE was discovered in 1967.

What country did the COUNTESS OF ERNE belong to?

The COUNTESS OF ERNE belonged to GB.

What was the tonnage of the COUNTESS OF ERNE?

The COUNTESS OF ERNE had a tonnage of 830 tons.

What type of wreck is the COUNTESS OF ERNE?

The COUNTESS OF ERNE is classified as a steam ship.

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