Hmy Iolaire Wreck

Field Value
Wreck Category dangerous wreck
Status Not Fully Surveyed, historic
Hmy iolaire Wreck Location
Marine Coordinates (DMM) 		58 11.293 N,6 20.999 W
Latitude, Longitude
Decimal Degrees
  • Latitude: 58.188217
  • Longitude: -6.349983
Wreck Depth 8 m
Water Depth 11 m
Water Level Effect always under water/submerged
Vertical Datum Approximate Lowest Astronomical Tide
Name HMY IOLAIRE
Type yacht
Flag GB
Tonnage 999
Tonnage Type displacement
Conspic Visual not visually conspicuous
Conspic Radar not radar conspicuous
Date Sunk Jan 1, 1919
Bottom Texture Sand
Original Detection Year 1971
Last Detection Year 2019
Original Source national HO/authority wreck information
Surveying Details 6.5.71 POSN 113DEGS, 7C FROM ARNISH LT, AT A DEPTH OF 70FT. TOTALLY BROKEN UP. BELL & NAME PLATE RECOVERED & PRESENTED TO STORNOWAY TOWN COUNCIL. MOST OF THOSE LOST WHEN SHE SANK WERE RETURNING RNR PERSONNEL FOLLOWING END OF WW1. (C ROBB, RECEIVER OF WK, STORNOWAY. N/NL 1634/70). H2438/76 2.3.76 AREA INSIDE BIASTON HOLM BN SEARCHED BY DIVERS WHO CONFIRM WK IS BROKEN UP. GEN DEPTH OF 17MTRS. WK FIXED IN 581117.6N, 062058.3W. (HMS HERALD, HI 24/75). NC 2529. H1289/76/338 13.10.76 WK DIVED IN 581119N, 062056W [OGB]. BADLY BROKEN UP WITH THE HIGHEST POINT BEING 10FT ABOVE THE SEABED. WK WAS SEARCHED FOR BY DIVERS IN HERALD'S POSN, 581117.6N, 062058.3W, & NOT LOCATED. (RAF BRIZE NORTON SAC, 1976 HEBRIDES SURVEY). AMEND TO WK 8MTRS. NC 2529. H4893/77 23.8.79 LIES CLOSE INSHORE JUST W OF IOLAIRE MONUMENT, PARALLEL TO THE SHORE IN 12MTRS, AMONG ROCK OUTCROPS. WELL BROKEN UP WITH LARGE BOILER 3MTRS DIAMETER. SOME SHELLS & CORDITE LIE AROUND THE WRECKAGE. (RAF CONINGSBY SAC 1979). H1310/85/40 11.11.85 LIES IN 23MTRS(?). LARGE BOILER & 2 IRON PROPELLERS ARE ALL THAT REMAINS OF MAIN STRUCTURE. (RAF LOSSIEMOUTH SAC EXPED, 1985). 25.11.02 ARTICLE REGARDING LOSS OF VESSEL IN INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY DTD 2.1.1994 INSERTED IN PRESS ARTICLES BRANCH FOLDER. 17.6.09 SHOWN IN 5811.293N, 0620.999W [EUT] ON 2529 [JUNE 09' EDN]. SEP 2019/000020223 21.2.19 NOT LOCATED BY M/B SURVEY. NFS. (STORNOWAY PORT AUTHORITY A5006 SURVEY DTD 2013). NCA.
Last Amended Date Jan 6, 2025

Circumstances of loss

1.3.15 BUILT IN 1902. HIRED 1.3.15. STRUCK THE ROCK KNOWN AS BEASTS OF HOLM [BIASTAN THUILM] & SANK. AN EXPLOSION OCCURRED WHEN SHE SANK, WITNESSES STATED PROBABLE CAUSE WAS THE BOILER BURSTING. HMY IOLAIRE sailed from the Kyle of Lochalsh on 31 Dec 1918 with passengers, predominantly consisting of naval ratings, returning to Lewis and Harris from service in World War One. On 1 Jan 1919, she ran on to rocks, known as the Beasts of Holm, off Stornoway. Although the shipwreck took place within 50 yards of the shore, the roughness of the sea lead to a loss of the 284 passengers and crew only 79 survived.

General Comments

DESIGNATED UNDER THE PROTECTION OF MILITARY REMAINS ACT 1986 AS A PROTECTED PLACE, DESIGNATED VESSEL. BOILER & 2 PROPS REMAIN

WRECK MAP LOADING ... 58 11.293 N,6 20.999 W
Hmy Iolaire on Wreck Map Hmy Iolaire Wreck on Google Map

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FAQ

Where is the HMY IOLAIRE wreck located?

The HMY IOLAIRE wreck is located at coordinates 58 11.293 N,6 20.999 W.

How deep is the HMY IOLAIRE and where exactly is it located?

The HMY IOLAIRE lies at a depth of about 8 meters and is located at coordinates 58 11.293 N,6 20.999 W.

How deep is the seabed around the HMY IOLAIRE?

The seabed around the HMY IOLAIRE lies at approximately 11 meters deep.

When did the HMY IOLAIRE sink?

The HMY IOLAIRE sank on Jan 1, 1919.

When was the wreck of the HMY IOLAIRE discovered?

The wreck of the HMY IOLAIRE was discovered in 1971.

What country did the HMY IOLAIRE belong to?

The HMY IOLAIRE belonged to GB.

What was the tonnage of the HMY IOLAIRE?

The HMY IOLAIRE had a tonnage of 999 tons.

What type of wreck is the HMY IOLAIRE?

The HMY IOLAIRE is classified as a yacht.

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