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 / 51.250°N 9.600°W) while she was travelling from Manchester, United Kingdom to Boston, United States with a general cargo.[1]
| History | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Iberian |
| Owner | Leyland Frederick & Co. Ltd. |
| Port of registry |  Liverpool, United Kingdom |
| Route | Manchester - Boston |
| Builder | Sir James Laing & Sons, Ltd. |
| Yard number | 576 |
| Launched | 21 March 1900 |
| Completed | 1900 |
| Identification | 113367 |
| Fate | Torpedoed and sunk 30 July 1915 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Cargo ship |
| Tonnage | 5,223 GRT |
| Length | 133.2 metres (437 ft 0 in) |
| Beam | 14.9 metres (48 ft 11 in) |
| Depth | 9.1 metres (29 ft 10 in) |
| Installed power | Triple expansion engine |
| Propulsion | Single screw propeller |
| Speed | 12 knots |
Construction edit
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 edit
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 edit
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 / 51.250°N 9.600°W).
References edit
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Iberian Cargo Ship 1900-1915". Wrecksite.eu. 22 October 2009. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
- ^ "U-28 Creature". Unknownexplorers.com. 2006. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
- ^ "Unknown Explorers - U-28 Creature".