Long-Lost SS Nantes Shipwreck Discovered After 140 Years

Divers have made a remarkable discovery, identifying the wreck of the SS Nantes, a ship that capsized nearly 140 years ago. The identification came after a local dive team found a broken plate bearing the Cunard Line logo, which led former British Army officer Dominic Robinson to confirm the ship’s identity. The SS Nantes sank in 1888 after colliding with another vessel, resulting in the tragic loss of most of its crew.

Tragic Collision in the English Channel

The SS Nantes was built in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1874 and was on a journey from Liverpool to La Havre, France, carrying a cargo of coal when disaster struck. On the night of the collision, the Nantes collided with the German-flagged ship Theodor Ruger. According to Robinson, who served as a military helicopter pilot, the accident was catastrophic. “Sadly, pretty much everybody who was on board the Nantes died,” he recounted. The ship drifted for several hours before sinking in the English Channel, taking the lives of most of its crew.

Only three individuals survived the wreck. Two men managed to jump onto the Theodor Ruger, while another stayed aboard the Nantes in a desperate attempt to keep the ship afloat. Unfortunately, this last survivor was rescued only after the Nantes sank about ten hours later. Robinson described the incident as “quite a sad story,” highlighting the tragic loss of life associated with the ship’s sinking.

Discovery and Identification of the Wreck

The wreck of the SS Nantes remained hidden for almost 140 years until it was discovered by a local dive team last year. However, its identity remained a mystery until recently. The breakthrough came when divers found a broken plate with the Cunard Line logo, which served as a crucial clue for identification. Robinson explained that identifying the ship involved researching a list of Cunard vessels that had sunk, narrowing it down based on the wreck’s location and size.

With assistance from the UK Hydrographic Office, the team confirmed that the Nantes measured approximately 260 feet in length, further aiding in its identification. Robinson noted, “Not surprisingly, [the plate] is what gave us the most significant clue.” The discovery of the SS Nantes adds to the growing list of shipwrecks being uncovered by marine archaeologists worldwide, as they continue to explore the depths of the ocean for historical treasures.

This significant find not only sheds light on a long-lost maritime tragedy but also highlights the ongoing efforts of divers and researchers to uncover the mysteries of the sea.