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| Vessel Type: |
Former Target Towing Vessel |
Location: | Co. Down |
| Date of Loss: | 23rd May 1985 | Place: | Strangford Lough |
| Cause of Loss: | Struck rocks | Boat Dive from: | Portaferry or Strangford |
| Charted Depth: | 10m | Irish O.S. Map: | Discovery Series No. 21 |
| Height of Wreck: | Scattered | Admiralty Chart No: | 2156 |
| Hull Material: | Wood | Latitude: | |
| Type of Seabed: | Gravel | Longitude: | |
| Average Visibility: | 5 - 10m | Diving Experience: | Experienced Novice |
| Picture available? | Yes - click here |
Diving Information:
- Lies off Kilclief, Strangford Lough Narrows
- Wreck broken up during winter storms of 1985/86.
- Slack water is essential, and should be dived during slack low.
- Boat should be well anchored as tidal run can be very strong.
- Dead slack water does not seem to occur in this area. The tide just swings round on the turn.
- The propellers were removed in September 1985.
- Ideal boat dive for novices, as it is shallow with good visibility.
Historical Information:
- Formerly a Royal Navy target towing vessel, and Mine Sweeper during WW2, she had been converted for private use. 70ft x 20 gross tons.
- While on charter to the Isle of Man, with motorbikes and riders due to take part in the TT Races, she struck St. Patrick's Rock and lost her rudder.
- Drifting in the strong currents, she then struck Angus Rock and began to sink rapidly. Luckily everyone managed to take to the liferafts and were rescued by the Portaferry Lifeboat shortly afterwards.
- During the next few days all the bikes were recovered.
- A notable passenger on board was motorcyclist, Joey Dunlop.
Source Publications:
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"Shipwrecks
of the Ulster Coast"
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by | Ian Wilson |
| Impact Printing 1997 - ISBN: 0948154993 |
Other Sources:
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Randal
Armstrong
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Castlereagh SAC (1985) |
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Last update - 18-Jun-2007
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A page from "www.irishwrecksonline.net" ©