ALFRED D SNOW - South Coast

The Alfred D Snow isn't just another lump of metal on the seabed, it’s a proper time capsule, a huge sailing vessel that went down in 1888. We love coming across wrecks that still hold their shape, and this 71-meter leviathan certainly does. Dropping down, you start to see the bow emerging from the gloom, often draped in long strands of kelp that sway in the gentle surge. It’s sitting upright, which is always a bonus, and you can really get a sense of its scale as you glide along the decks. The hold is a favourite spot, wide open and inviting, usually home to a resident conger eel or two, their heads poking out from under rusted plates. We’ve seen everything from spiny dogfish cruising by to thick carpets of jewel anemones clinging to the mast sections. If you hit it on a day with good visibility, perhaps after a spell of settled weather, the light filters down into the structure, picking out details on the hull. It’s a dive that rewards slow exploration. Take your time to really appreciate the history. For divers who enjoy significant wrecks with a strong sense of story, this is definitely one to put on the list.

Location
South Coast, Ireland, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
52.083668, -7.017500
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
30m

Wreck History - ALFRED D SNOW

Year Sunk
1888
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
storm

The Alfred D. Snow was a large, three-masted wooden sailing ship built in Thomaston, Maine, in 1877. A product of the final glory days of sail, this 71-meter vessel was a testament to 19th-century American shipbuilding. Its career was cut tragically short on January 4, 1888, during a voyage from San Francisco to Liverpool with a cargo of wheat. Caught in a vicious storm, the ship was driven ashore and wrecked near Waterford on the south coast of Ireland. The disaster was catastrophic, claiming the lives of 28 of the 30 crew members in the freezing winter waves.

Today, the remains of the Alfred D. Snow lie at a depth of 30 meters, offering a poignant and historic dive for advanced divers. Over 130 years on the seabed has taken its toll on the wooden hull, and the wreck is now scattered, its mighty timbers slowly being reclaimed by the sea. Divers can explore the wreckage, searching for artifacts from the era of sail, such as deadeyes, rigging, and fittings. The site is a somber memorial to the 28 souls who perished, and a dive here is a journey back in time, connecting with a dramatic maritime tragedy off the Irish coast.

Marine Protected Area: Tramore Backstrand

Best Time to Dive in South Coast

The warmest water temperatures in South Coast occur in January, averaging 8.8°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 8.8°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 8.8°C (air: 7.0°C)
  • February: 8.8°C (air: 8.3°C)
  • March: 8.8°C (air: 8.1°C)
  • April: 8.8°C (air: 9.3°C)
  • May: 8.8°C (air: 11.8°C)
  • June: 8.8°C (air: 14.2°C)
  • July: 8.8°C (air: 15.6°C)
  • August: 8.8°C (air: 15.8°C)
  • September: 8.8°C (air: 14.6°C)
  • October: 8.8°C (air: 12.4°C)
  • November: 8.8°C (air: 9.9°C)
  • December: 8.8°C (air: 8.1°C)

Nearby Dive Sites in South Coast

Nearest Dive Centres to ALFRED D SNOW

Marine Life in South Coast

Home to 199 recorded species including 97 reef fish, 24 sharks & rays, 14 whales & dolphins, 14 other, 10 crabs & lobsters, 10 seagrass & algae.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for ALFRED D SNOW

Based on average water temperature of 8.8°C.

  • Drysuit - water at 9°C demands a drysuit with thermal undergarments
  • Hood & Gloves (7mm+) - critical to prevent heat loss
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories