Kowloon Bridge
Encyclopedia
The Kowloon Bridge was a Bridge-class
Ore-bulk-oil carrier
which sank off the coast of West Cork
in 1986 with her cargo of 165,000 tons of iron ore and 2,000 tons of oil. The resulting shipwreck is the largest wreck by tonnage in the world.
On 20 November 1986, she anchored in Bantry Bay
, Republic of Ireland
after developing deck cracking in one of her frames during her Atlantic crossing. After leaving port, she lost steerage and eventually ran onto the Kedges Reef off West Cork in the Republic of Ireland
. Royal Air Force
helicopters rescued the crew whilst tugs attempted, but failed to prevent her from running aground. The resulting fuel spilt out over the Irish coastline causing extensive damage to local wildlife.
Bridge-class OBO carrier
The Bridge-class OBO was a series of six vessels, which were constructed for Bibby Line in British shipyards. Three earlier vessels, Atlantic Bridge, Pacific Bridge and Ocean Bridge, had been completed in Japan from 1967 onwards. Ocean Bridge was almost lost and the master was killed in a serious...
Ore-bulk-oil carrier
Ore-bulk-oil carrier
An Ore-bulk-oil carrier, also known as combination carrier or OBO, is a ship designed to be capable of carrying wet or dry cargoes. The idea is to reduce the number of empty voyages, in which large ships only carry a cargo one way and return empty for another. These are a feature of the larger...
which sank off the coast of West Cork
West Cork
West Cork refers to a geographical area in south-west Ireland, lying within Ireland's largest county, County Cork. Traditionally a popular tourist destination, the area is seen as being distinct from the more populated northern or eastern parts of the county, as well as the more urban area of...
in 1986 with her cargo of 165,000 tons of iron ore and 2,000 tons of oil. The resulting shipwreck is the largest wreck by tonnage in the world.
On 20 November 1986, she anchored in Bantry Bay
Bantry Bay
Bantry Bay is a bay located in County Cork, southwest Ireland. The bay runs approximately from northeast to southwest into the Atlantic Ocean. It is approximately 3-to-4 km wide at the head and wide at the entrance....
, Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
after developing deck cracking in one of her frames during her Atlantic crossing. After leaving port, she lost steerage and eventually ran onto the Kedges Reef off West Cork in the Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
. Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
helicopters rescued the crew whilst tugs attempted, but failed to prevent her from running aground. The resulting fuel spilt out over the Irish coastline causing extensive damage to local wildlife.
External links
- http://www.irishwrecksonline.net/details/KowloonBridge548.htm
- http://www.divesitedirectory.co.uk/dive_site_ireland_cork_baltimore_wreck_kowloon_bridge.html
- Center for Tankship Excellence