Location of SS Laurentic shipwreck
The final voyage of this huge liner lay around the northern fringe of Ireland,
where two of Ulster's Counties - Antrim and Londonderry meet County Donegal - at
the sea. It was a lonely stretch patrolled by German U-boats waiting for any
unsuspecting craft to enter this sector of the sea. The main submarine command lurked off Malin
Head, the most northerly tip of Ireland, and the way into the calm protected 'Lake
of Shadows', Lough Swilly. Across the mouth of the Swilly three trawlers supported
a boom of heavy nets through which U-boats could not penetrate. On leaving Liverpool,
SS Laurentic was due to sail to Canada but just after the ship left, the Admiralty
ordered the ship to call at Lough Swilly to discharge four ratings who
had contracted Spotted Fever.
Shortly after sailing from the Royal Navy's base in Lough Swilly in County Donegal
on 25th January 1917, SS Laurentic was struck by mines laid off Fanad Head, beyond
the safety of the boom, by a German U-80 submarine a few days before. The great
ship sank within an hour taking with her 354 men out of a crew of almost 470, and
43 tons of gold bullion.
The account of this tradegy and incredible feat of salvage and bravery
is told in the 22 page SS Laurentic booklet included in the share pack.
There remain 20 gold ingots in the wreck lying Lough Swilly in County Donegal worth an estimated £10m