SS Iberian (1900)

SS Iberian was a British cargo ship that was torpedoed by SM U-28 in the Atlantic Ocean 9 nautical miles (17 km) south west of the Fastnet Rock (51°15′N 9°36′W) while she was travelling from Manchester, United Kingdom to Boston, United States with a general cargo.[1]

History
NameIberian
OwnerLeyland Frederick & Co. Ltd.
Port of registryUnited Kingdom Liverpool, United Kingdom
RouteManchester - Boston
BuilderSir James Laing & Sons, Ltd.
Yard number576
Launched21 March 1900
Completed1900
Identification113367
FateTorpedoed and sunk 30 July 1915
General characteristics
TypeCargo ship
Tonnage5,223 GRT
Length133.2 metres (437 ft 0 in)
Beam14.9 metres (48 ft 11 in)
Depth9.1 metres (29 ft 10 in)
Installed powerTriple expansion engine
PropulsionSingle screw propeller
Speed12 knots

Construction

Iberian was constructed in 1900 at the Sir James Laing & Sons Ltd. shipyard in Sunderland, United Kingdom. She was launched and completed in 1900. The ship was 133.2 metres (437 ft 0 in) long, with a beam of 14.9 metres (48 ft 11 in) and a depth of 9.1 metres (29 ft 10 in). The ship was assessed at 5,223 GRT. She had a triple expansion engine driving a single screw propeller and the engine was rated at 470 nhp.[2]

Sinking

While Iberian was travelling from Manchester, United Kingdom to Boston, United States with a general cargo. She was spotted by SM U-28 in the Atlantic Ocean 9 nautical miles (17 km) south west of the Fastnet Rock, Ireland. SM U-28 fired a torpedo at the Iberian which hit her stern killing 7 crew. Iberian sank stern first beneath the waves, officers from the U-boat reported that the steamer sank so swiftly that its bow stuck up almost vertically into the air before finally sinking shortly after the attack.[3] It is said that along with the debris, a creature described as a "gigantic aquatic animal" resembling a crocodile was seen briefly writhing among the wreckage before disappearing.[4]

Wreck

Iberian sank 9 nautical miles (17 km) south west of the Fastnet Rock, Ireland at a depth of about 104 metres (341 ft 2 in) (51°15′N 9°36′W).

References
  1. Helgason, Guðmundur. "Ships hit during WWI: Steamer Iberian". German and Austrian U-boats of World War I - Kaiserliche Marine - Uboat.net. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
  2. "Iberian Cargo Ship 1900-1915". Wrecksite.eu. 22 October 2009. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
  3. "U-28 Creature". Unknownexplorers.com. 2006. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
  4. "Unknown Explorers - U-28 Creature".
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.