Irish Wrecks On-Line - Wasp HMS (No. 991)

*Vessel Type:*	Navy Gunboat	*Location:*	Co. Donegal
*Date of Loss:*	22nd September 1884	*Place:*	Tory Island
*Cause of Loss:*	Struck rocks	*Boat Dive from:*	Downings or Falcarragh
*Charted Depth:*	10 - 20m	*Irish O.S. Map:*	Discovery Series No. 1
*Height of Wreck:*	2m	*Admiralty Chart No:*	2752
*Hull Material:*	Iron	*Latitude:*
*Type of Seabed:*	Rocks and shale	*Longitude:*
*Average Visibility:*	10 - 20m	*Diving Experience:*	Experienced

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Diving Information:

Remains lie at 6m onwards in downward sloping gullies.

Very easy to stray into turbulent water.

Visibility usually good. Loads of marine life.

Consult local knowledge or speak to Downings SAC for advice.

Launch from Dowings Harbour, or Falcarragh. Be prepared for a long boat ride.

Be ever watchful of the weather. It can change dramatically in 30 minutes.

Best dived at Slack Water

Historical Information:

Built in 1880 at Barrow by Vickers, she grossed 455 tons and measured 38.10 x 7.01 x 3.04m.
Powered by a 360 h.p. compound steam engines, she was also rigged as a schooner.
She was armed with 2 machine guns, 2 x 20lb. guns and 2 x 64lb. guns.
Bound Westport for Moville in Lough Foyle in clear weather she struck an isolated rock under the lighthouse around 3.30am.
The order to abandon ship was given, but the lifeboats were wrecked by the waves while still on the davitts. She then slipped into deeper water until only the tops of her masts showed.
Fifty crewmen were lost, and her commander Lt. J.D. Nicholls.
Some of the crew were buried on the island near the lighthouse.
The wreck was bought by the Cornish Salvage Co. in 1910.

Source Publications:

"Shipwreck Index of Ireland"

by
Richard & Bridget Larn

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

"Shipwrecks of the Irish Coast 1105 - 1993"

by
Edward J. Bourke

Edward J. Bourke 1994 - ISBN: 0952302705

Other Sources:

Robert Gault

-
Castlereagh SAC (2001)

Last update - 03-Jun-2004