Empress Of Britain Wreck

Field Value
Wreck Category non-dangerous wreck
Empress of britain Wreck Location
Marine Coordinates (DMM) 		55 19.038 N,9 40.929 W
Latitude, Longitude
Decimal Degrees
  • Latitude: 55.317300
  • Longitude: -9.682150
Wreck Depth 134 m
Water Depth 159 m
Water Level Effect always under water/submerged
Vertical Datum Approximate Lowest Astronomical Tide
Name EMPRESS OF BRITAIN
Type steam ship
Flag GB
Length 223.4 m
Width 29.9 m
Draught 17.1
Sonar Length 212
Sonar Width 40
Shadow Height 23.1
Orientation 80
Tonnage 42348
Tonnage Type gross
Cargo general and mixed goods,granular or powdery material
Conspic Visual not visually conspicuous
Conspic Radar not radar conspicuous
Date Sunk Oct 28, 1940
Original Detection Year 1940
Last Detection Year 2008
Original Source published World War 2 losses
Last Amended Date Oct 8, 2009

Simplified Wreck Survey

The RMS Empress of Britain shipwreck is located underwater at coordinates 55 19.038 N, 9 40.929 W in the Atlantic Ocean off the northwest coast of Ireland. Historical survey records show the luxury liner was first attacked by German aircraft at a different position before the wreck contact was confirmed in April 1974. Modern hydrographic surveys conducted between 1999 and 2008 by the Irish Marine Institute and INSS confirm the resting place of the vessel at a general depth of 159 meters with a least depth over the wreck of 134 to 135 meters. The structural description of the site details a well broken up wreck lying on an orientation of 080/260 degrees, measuring approximately 212 meters in length, 40 meters in width, and featuring a maximum height of 23.1 meters above the seabed.

Surveying Details

H1001/40 POSN 551600N, 095000W. NCA. H095/40 POSN GIVEN AS 545300N, 104000W. THIS IS WHERE VESSEL WAS FIRST ATTACKED BY GERMAN AIRCRAFT. NCA. 8.4.74 CONTACT FOUND IN 551900N, 094000W. (CINCFLEET). POSSIBLY THIS WK. 4.1.07 LIES IN 5519.05N, 0940.98E. (M MCVEIGH, EMAIL DTD 2.1.07). INS AS NDW. BR STD. 16.5.07 LOCATED IN 5519.060N, 0940.962W [WGD]. GEN DEPTH 159MTRS. LENGTH 212MTRS, WIDTH 40MTRS, MAX HT 23.1MTRS. (INSS SURVEY 1999-2005). LIES 080/260 DEGS. WELL BROKEN UP. AMEND WK 135MTRS IN REVISED POSN. BR STD. 8.10.09 SHOWN AS WK 134MTRS IN 5519.038N, 0940.929W [WGD] ON DIBON SURVEY 20087019. (IRISH MARINE INSTITUTE DATA). BR STD.

Circumstances of loss

OWNED BY CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAY CO, BUILT BY JOHN BROWN & CO. TURBINE ENGINES OF 12753 NHP FOR 24 KNOTS. COMMANDED BY CAPT C H SAPSWORTH, CVO. MACHINE GUNNED, BOMBED AND SET ON FIRE BY GERMAN AIRCRAFT. SUNK BY U-32, WHILE UNDER TOW OF HM TUGS MARAUDER AND THAMES. CREW OF 416 AND 2 GUNNERS WITH 205 PASSENGERS. 25 CREW AND 20 PASSENGERS WERE LOST. PASSAGE TABLE BAY FOR LIVERPOOL. (DODS & WW2SL).

General Comments

WELL BROKEN UP, INVERTED

WRECK MAP LOADING ... 55 19.038 N,9 40.929 W
Empress Of Britain on Wreck Map Empress Of Britain Wreck on Google Map

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FAQ

Where is the EMPRESS OF BRITAIN wreck located?

The EMPRESS OF BRITAIN wreck is located at coordinates 55 19.038 N,9 40.929 W.

How deep is the EMPRESS OF BRITAIN and where exactly is it located?

The EMPRESS OF BRITAIN lies at a depth of about 134 meters and is located at coordinates 55 19.038 N,9 40.929 W.

How deep is the seabed around the EMPRESS OF BRITAIN?

The seabed around the EMPRESS OF BRITAIN lies at approximately 159 meters deep.

When did the EMPRESS OF BRITAIN sink?

The EMPRESS OF BRITAIN sank on Oct 28, 1940.

When was the wreck of the EMPRESS OF BRITAIN discovered?

The wreck of the EMPRESS OF BRITAIN was discovered in 1940.

What country did the EMPRESS OF BRITAIN belong to?

The EMPRESS OF BRITAIN belonged to GB.

What cargo was the EMPRESS OF BRITAIN carrying?

The EMPRESS OF BRITAIN was carrying general and mixed goods,granular or powdery material.

What was the tonnage of the EMPRESS OF BRITAIN?

The EMPRESS OF BRITAIN had a tonnage of 42348 tons.

What type of wreck is the EMPRESS OF BRITAIN?

The EMPRESS OF BRITAIN is classified as a steam ship.

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