CARRABIN (POSSIBLY) - South Coast

Carrabin, or what we strongly suspect is Carrabin, is one of those Irish wrecks that just *hits* differently. Sunk in 1917, she’s a big sailing vessel, 96.5 metres of torpedoed history, lying upright on the seabed at 60 metres. That’s deep, proper technical diving territory, but if you’ve got the training, the rewards are immense. We love the scale of her, the way the masts still reach up into the gloom, often draped in fishing nets that sway with the surge. Dropping down, the sheer size of the hull emerges slowly from the green, a real sense of descending into another time. You can spend a whole dive exploring the deck, the holds, often finding conger eels peering from dark corners and massive balls of pollock swirling around the bow. It’s a very atmospheric dive, dark and imposing, but utterly captivating. Visibility can be a challenge, as it often is on the South Coast, but on a good day, when the light penetrates just right, it’s truly spectacular. Our top tip: aim for slack water on a neap tide for the best chance at calmer conditions, and definitely bring a good primary light; you’ll want to poke into every crevice.

Location
South Coast, Ireland, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
51.667168, -8.150666
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
60m

Wreck History - CARRABIN (POSSIBLY)

Year Sunk
1917
Vessel Type
sailing vessel
Cause
torpedo
Tonnage
2,525 GRT

The Carrabin began her life in 1892 as the North Star, a magnificent four-masted steel barque built to carry cargo across the world's oceans in the twilight years of commercial sail. Over her 25-year career, she sailed under several names, including Alsterufer and Susanne Vinnen, representing the changing fortunes of global trade. In the midst of the First World War, she was on a long passage from Bunbury, Australia, to London, her holds filled with a valuable cargo.

On September 1st, 1917, her final voyage came to an abrupt and violent end. While navigating the treacherous waters off the south coast of Ireland, she was spotted by a German U-boat. A single torpedo strike sealed her fate, sending the grand sailing ship and her cargo to the seabed. Today, the Carrabin lies at 60 meters, a challenging and rewarding dive for experienced technical divers. The wreck is a testament to a bygone era, a ghostly steel skeleton that provides a profound connection to the maritime history of WWI.

Marine Protected Area: Sovereign Islands NHA

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 CARRABIN (POSSIBLY)

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 CARRABIN (POSSIBLY)

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