SS Espagne (Anversois, 1909)

Espagne.
History
Name: Espagne
Namesake: Spain
Owner: Armement Adolf Deppe
Port of registry: Belgium Antwerp, Belgium
Builder: Chantiers Navals Anversois S.A
Yard number: 40
Launched: 6 February 1909
Completed: March 1909
Fate: Torpedoed and sunk 25 December 1917
General characteristics
Type: Cargo ship
Tonnage: 1,463 GRT
Length: 71.78 metres (235 ft 6 in)
Beam: 11.00 metres (36 ft 1 in)
Depth: 3.73 metres (12 ft 3 in)
Installed power: Triple expansion steam engine
Propulsion: Screw propeller
Crew: 24

The SS Espagne was a Belgian cargo ship that was torpedoed by SM UC-71 in the English Channel off St. Catherine's Point, Isle of Wight, United Kingdom while she was travelling from Le Havre, France to Newport, Monmouthshire, United Kingdom.

Construction

Espagne was launched on 6 February 1909 with yard no. 40 at the Chantiers Navals Anversois shipyard in Hoboken, Antwerp, Belgium. She was completed the following month, having been ordered by the Antwerp shipping company Armement Adolf Deppe.[1]

The ship was 71.78 metres (235 ft 6 in) long, with a beam of 11.00 metres (36 ft 1 in).[1] She had a depth of 3.73 metres (12 ft 3 in).[2][Note 1] The ship was assessed at 1,463 GRT. She had a triple expansion steam engine driving a single screw propeller.[1] Steam was supplied by two boilers;[3] the engine was rated at 150 nhp. It was made by the North East Marine Engine Co Ltd. Hartlepool, County Durham, United Kingdom. Her crew numbered 24.[2]

Sinking

On 25 December 1917, Espagne was in ballast on a voyage from Le Havre, Seine-Maritime, France to Newport, Monmouthshire, United Kingdom.[1] At 6.35 AM, Espagne was struck by one torpedo from SM UC-71 off St. Catherine's Point, Isle of Wight, United Kingdom (50°26′N 1°29′W / 50.433°N 1.483°W / 50.433; -1.483Coordinates: 50°26′N 1°29′W / 50.433°N 1.483°W / 50.433; -1.483).[1][4] The ship sank to a depth of over 40 metres (130 ft),[3] with the loss of 21 men. Only three men survived the sinking and were rescued soon after.

The Wreck

The wreck sits 40 to 50 metres (130 to 160 ft) deep at 50°26′30″N 1°29′31″W / 50.44167°N 1.49194°W / 50.44167; -1.49194 and is mostly broken. The engine lies on its side and the two boilers one of which stands on one end.[3][2]

Notes

  1. ^ Measurement given in imperial units in source, presented as metric converted to imperial for consistency.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Espagne (5607825)"Paid subscription required. Miramar Ship Index. Retrieved 9 May 2014.
  2. 1 2 3 "Espagne" (in French). Archeosousmarine. 5 June 2012. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
  3. 1 2 3 "Wrecks". Wight Spirit Diving Charters. Retrieved 9 May 2014.
  4. ↑ Helgason, Guðmundur. "Ships hit during WWI: Espagne". German and Austrian U-boats of World War I - Kaiserliche Marine - Uboat.net. Retrieved 9 May 2014.
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