Laurentic (Ss) Wreck

Field Value
Laurentic (ss) Wreck Location
Marine Coordinates (DMM) 		55 18.217 N,7 35.450 W
Latitude, Longitude
Decimal Degrees
  • Latitude: 55.303610
  • Longitude: -7.590830
Name LAURENTIC (SS)
Type steam ship
Date Sunk Jan 23, 1917
Original Source Bourke 1994, 204; Bourke 1998, 145, 161; Bourke, 2000, 113; Hocking, 1969, 416; Larn & Larn 2002; Lloyd's List 22, 117, Tuesday 11th August 1908; Lloyd's List 22, 159, Tuesday 29th September 1908; Lloyd's List 22, 191, Thursday 5th November 1908; Lloyd's List, No. 32, 015, Mon. 29th Jan. 1917, 5 c.1; Lloyd's List, No. 32, 015, Mon. 29th Jan. 1917, 5 c.1, 6; Lloyd's List, No. 32, 018, Thur. 1st Feb. 1917, 6; Lloyd's List, No. 32, 729, Sat. 31st May 1919, 9; Lloyd's List, No. 32, 789, Tue. 12th Aug. 1919, 7 c.22; Lloyd's List, No. 32, 789, Tue. 12th Aug. 1919, 8; Lloyd's List, No. 32, 823, Sat. 20th Sept. 1919, 3; Lloyd's List 33, 288, Wednesday 30th March 1921; Lloyd's List 33, 414, Friday 26th August 1921; Lloyd's List 33, 451, Saturday 8th October 1921; Lloyd's List 33, 750, Lloyd's List, No. 33, 643, Friday 26th May 1922; Saturday 30th September 1922. Lloyd's List, No. 36, 471; Lloyd's List 33, 876, Tuesday 27th February 1923; Lloyd's List 33, 907, Friday 6th April 1923; Lloyd's List 33, 986, Monday 9th July 1923; Lloyd's List 34, 026, Saturday 25th August 1923; Lloyd's List 34, 163, Monday 4th February 1924; Lloyd's List 34, 177, Wednesday 20th February 1924; Lloyd's List 34, 197, Friday 14th March 1924; Lloyd's List 34, 198, Saturday 15th March 1924; Lloyd's List 34, 213, Wednesday 2nd April 1924; Lloyd's List 34, 238, Saturday 3rd May 1924; Lloyd's List 34, 375, Monday 13th October 1924; Lloyd's List 34, 784, Thursday 11th February 1926; Tue. 11th Aug. 1931, 7 c.20; Lloyd's List, No. 36, 471; Tue. 11th Aug. 1931, 8; Lloyd's List, No. 36, 722; Sat. 4th Jun. 1932, 6; Lloyd's List, No. 37, 318; Sat. 12th May 1934, 4, c.20; Lloyd's List, No. 37, 400; Sat. 18th Aug. 1934, 4, c.20; Lloyd's List, No. 37, 400; Sat. 18th Aug. 1934, 6; Lloyd's List, No. 36, 757; Fri. 15th Jul. 1932, 8; Lloyd's List, No. 36, 852; Fri. 4th Nov. 1932, 8; Lloyd's List, No. 38, 282; Mon. 5th Jul. 1937, 7 c.24; The Annual Register for 1917; UKHO Wreck Data 1996; BMS 1914-18, 177; BVLS 1914-18, 5.
WRECK MAP LOADING ... 55 18.217 N,7 35.450 W
Laurentic (Ss) on Wreck Map Laurentic (Ss) Wreck on Google Map
Wreck No: W07428, Place of Loss: Lough Swilly Approaches, Co Donegal, c.2 miles N of Fanad Point Light, Source of Coordinate: GSI Wreck No_307, Description: The Laurentic was a 14,892-ton liner built in 1908 by Harland and Wolff and owned by the Oceanic Steam Navigation Company. At the beginning of the war, the liner was hired by the White Star Line and converted into an armed merchant cruiser. The steamship was en route from Liverpool to Halifax via Buncrana in County Donegal, from where it departed on 25th January 1917, but struck a mine and sank with the loss of 354 lives. Many of the bodies were recovered and were buried in St Mura’s graveyard in Fahan where a memorial was erected to them in 1919. The ship was carrying a cargo of gold for the British Treasury, which was to be used to purchase arms, munitions and vital supplies for the war effort. 3,186 of the 3,211 gold bars on board were recovered during subsequent salvage operations following its sinking. What remains of the wreck measures 140m in length by 25m in breath and lies at an average depth off the seabed of c. 5m. The RV Keary surveyed the wreck in 2014. The postcard above shows a painting of the Laurentic under steam prior to the beginning of the war (Ian Lawler Collection). The wreck now lies at an average depth of c. 37m in a slight scour and is partially buried, with collapsed structure and a significant debris field surrounding it. Multibeam images of the wreck by INFOMAR clearly shows four of the six boilers are still in-situ; however, two have been dislodged and have been rolled out to the starboard side of the wreck by the Atlantic swells. The wreck surveyed in 2008 as part of the JIBS seabed mapping programme. Wreck measures 162m long, 19m in maximum width and lies in 30m of water. GSI Wreck No_307. The wreck is now owned by Ray Cossum.

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FAQ

Where is the LAURENTIC (SS) wreck located?

The LAURENTIC (SS) wreck is located at coordinates 55 18.217 N,7 35.450 W.

When did the LAURENTIC (SS) sink?

The LAURENTIC (SS) sank on Jan 23, 1917.

What type of wreck is the LAURENTIC (SS)?

The LAURENTIC (SS) is classified as a steam ship.

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