SS Bengrove

SS Bengrove was a steam-powered collier registered in Liverpool, England. Thousands of people on shore saw her explode and sink in the Bristol Channel on Sunday, 7 March 1915.[2]

History
United Kingdom
Name	SS Bengrove
Owner	Joseph Hoult & Co., Liverpool
Builder	Craig, Taylor & Co. Ltd., Stockton-on-Tees
Launched	24 February 1910
Fate	Torpedoed and sunk, 7 March 1915
General characteristics [1]
Type	Cargo ship
Tonnage	3,840 GRT
Length	105.2 m (345 ft 2 in)
Beam	15.6 m (51 ft 2 in)
Propulsion	1 × 3-cylinder 342 hp (255 kW) triple expansion steam engine, 1 screw

The ship left Barry at about 4:00 am under sealed orders and carrying a cargo of 5,000 tons of coal. Later that day,[3] in the Bristol Channel, about five miles off the coast of Ilfracombe, an explosion occurred under the vessel amidships. The ship's siren was activated and the crew entered the lifeboats. The siren was heard on shore and the Ilfracombe coast guard sent lifeboats to the area. There were 21 other steamers in the area at the time of the explosion and six of them offered assistance to the foundering vessel. All 33 crew were saved and taken to Ilfracombe pier. Early reports were unsure what had caused the explosion. There was speculation that the vessel had struck a mine or torpedo.[2] The cause was later determined to have been a torpedo fired from German U-boat U-20.[4][5]