Type: H.M.S.Drake was built in 1902, a 'Drake' class  armoured cruiser,  at 23 knots was  one of the fastest cruisers in the world at that time, her armaments included two primary 9.2 inch centre line turrets, sixteen secondary 6 inch single barbettes,  twelve auxiliary twelve pounders,  three auxiliary  three pounders and two eighteen inch submerged torpedo tubes. She measured 500 x 71 x 26ft. and was powered by
triple-expansion engines with Belleville boilers.

Picture:
 

                                  HMS Drake                                                   Pin Badge

 

Wreck Information: On the morning of October 2nd 1917, HMS Drake was several miles off the north-west tip of Rathlin Island. The U-79 located the drake in her sight and fired one of her compliment of four torpedoes, the resulting explosion killed 19 seamen though the cruiser remained afloat

 

Harbour / slip: Slip at Ballycastle. (not free anymore)

 

Travel & Parking directions: Ferry from Liverpool or Heysham to Douglas with the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company

 

Distance from harbour:

 

Lat & Long: 55 17.13N; 06 12.50W   Church Bay   The wreck lies 200m north of a South Cardinal Buoy

 

Chart:  

 

Depth: 18m

 

Tides: Tide tables

 

Diveboat:   

 

Diveshop:   Aquaholics

 

Suggested experience:

 

Other comments: Most dived wreck off Ulster. Entire hull interior is open through holes blown during Royal Navy salvage. Beware of live ammunition. The distinctive ram bow of HMS Drake is still visible, although the hull plating has come off it in places. Th height of Wreck is 3-4m over a sandy seabed.

 

Pub:   

 

Created by: J Nicolson

 

Date: 9/2/08

 

Thanks To:

 

Underwater photos:

 

Wreck diagram:

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