Irish Wrecks On-line - Lugano SS (No. 605)

*Vessel Type:*	Cargo Steamer	*Location:*	Co. Antrim
*Date of Loss:*	2nd October 1917	*Place:*	Rathlin Island
*Cause of Loss:*	Torpedoed	*Boat Dive from:*	Ballycastle
*Charted Depth:*	90m	*Irish O.S. Map:*	Discovery Series No. 5
*Height of Wreck:*	10m	*Admiralty Chart No:*	2798
*Hull Material:*	Steel	*Latitude (GPS):*	55 16.78 North
*Type of Seabed:*	Rocks	*Longitude (GPS):*	06 17.48 West
*Average Visibility:*	Very poor	*Diving Experience:*	Specialist Diving

No image listed.

Diving Information:

Lies 2 miles South-West of Bull Point.
Lying upright in the main tidal stream running North-West.
Large hole in starboard side and forward bridge has collapsed.
Very silty and dark.
Only 20 minutes slack water at the turn of the tide, and only during neaps.
Best dived 15 minutes before HW Belfast.
Very dangerous. A Mixed Gas dive.

Historical Information:

Built by Irvine’s Shipbuilding & Dry-dock Co., West Hartlepool six months prior to her sinking. She grossed 2,372 tons and measured 350 x 51.1 x 24 ft. and was owned by the Gulf line Ltd.
Bound Liverpool from Norfolk, Virginia with cotton, steel and alcohol, she was part of Convoy HH24 escorted by "H.M.S. Drake".
After the "Drake" was hit, the convoy dispersed and the "Lugano" found herself in Rathlin Sound.
The same submarine that attacked the Drake, "U-79", had layed mines across the channel from Bull Point.
After striking one of these mines she sank rapidly but the crew were all able to get off safely.

Source Publications:

"Shipwreck Index of Ireland"

by
Richard & Bridget Larn

Lloyd's Register - Fairplay Ltd 2002 - ISBN: 1900839970

"Shipwrecks of the Irish Coast 932 - 1997"

by
Edward J. Bourke

Edward J. Bourke 1998 - ISBN: 0952302713

"Shipwrecks of the Ulster Coast"

by
Ian Wilson

Impact Printing 1997 - ISBN: 0948154993

"The Harsh Winds of Rathlin"

by
Tommy Cecil

Impact Printing 1990 - ISBN: 0948154659

Other Sources:

Norman Woods

-
Portstewart SAC (1990)

Last update - 01-Apr-2003