Looe (Hms) Wreck

Field Value
Looe (hms) Wreck Location
Marine Coordinates (DMM) 		51 28.454 N,9 23.394 W
Latitude, Longitude
Decimal Degrees
  • Latitude: 51.474230
  • Longitude: -9.389900
Name LOOE (HMS)
Type military vessel
Date Sunk Apr 30, 1697
Original Source Kelleher, 2009; Bourke, 1994, 135; Larn & Larn 2002; O'Mahony & Cadogan, 1988, 24; SRN Vol. 1, 207.
WRECK MAP LOADING ... 51 28.454 N,9 23.394 W
Looe (Hms) on Wreck Map Looe (Hms) Wreck on Google Map
Wreck No: W08542, Place of Loss: Baltimore Harbour entrance, Co. Cork. On reef at E side, since called the Looe Rock., Source of Coordinate: National Monuemnts Service, Description: This royal ship, one of only 34 such ships built at the time, was the flagship of the Irish Coast Fleet tasked with patrolling the waters around Ireland; it was lost in its first year of service on the jagged rocks of the reef at the entrance to Baltimore Harbour. 385-ton, 5th-rate 32-gun frigate, built in Plymouth in 1696. Put into Baltimore Harbour for provisions and when leaving, during story weather, Captain Paul miscalculated the depth of water and grounded on the reef at the entrance. A green buoy marks the spot. All crew got off and much of its cargo, tackle, etc. was subsequently salvaged shortly afterwards. In 1698 captain Townsend was court-martialled for selling two of her guns, possibly salved by himself. Captain Paul was court-martialled for negligence. The HMS Looe was one of only 34 such ‘demi-batterie’ ships built under the design of Lord Torrington and is thus an important wreck in that it provides information on this specific ship type. In 2001 the Underwater Archaeology Unit (UAU) of the National Monuments Service carried out a survey of the wreck site and found up to 7 iron guns and numerous cannon balls at various depths on the reef and on the sea floor at 25m depth. The guns are heavily concreted, as are the cannonballs which are massed together. Some of the guns are broken with short sections only present, and whether these represent broken ordnance carried on the ship as ballast or if they were broken subsequent to the wrecking is not known. No structural evidence was found, which is not surprising at the Looe Rock and entrance area of Baltimore Harbour is a highly dynamic zone, with substantial movements of water, making the survival of any wooden elements from the HMS Looe unlikely in that location. ----------------------------

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FAQ

Where is the LOOE (HMS) wreck located?

The LOOE (HMS) wreck is located at coordinates 51 28.454 N,9 23.394 W.

When did the LOOE (HMS) sink?

The LOOE (HMS) sank on Apr 30, 1697.

What type of wreck is the LOOE (HMS)?

The LOOE (HMS) is classified as a military vessel.

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