zoom_in Click to enlarge

SS Laurentic

▲ ▼

description SS Laurentic Overview

SS Laurentic was a British passenger liner operated by the White Star Line and used as an armed merchant cruiser during the First World War. On 25 January 1917, she struck mines near Malin Head off the coast of Ireland and sank, killing 354 people. The ship was carrying a large quantity of gold bullion, and extensive salvage operations recovered most of that cargo from the wreck over a period of years.

help SS Laurentic FAQ

Why did the SS Laurentic sink?

The SS Laurentic sank on 25 January 1917 after striking two German naval mines near Malin Head off the northern coast of Ireland. At the time, the British passenger liner had been repurposed as an armed merchant cruiser during World War I.

How many people died when the SS Laurentic sank?

The disaster resulted in the deaths of 354 people, who perished from the blasts or succumbed to the freezing winter temperatures in the icy water. Only around 120 survivors managed to reach safety on lifeboats.

What secret cargo was the SS Laurentic carrying when it sank?

The ship was carrying a massive shipment of gold bullion, weighing roughly 43 tons, intended to pay for wartime munitions. Over the following decades, most of the gold was successfully recovered by Royal Navy diving teams, making it one of the deepest salvage operations in history.

What shipping line operated the SS Laurentic?

The SS Laurentic was operated by the renowned White Star Line, the same company that owned the Titanic. The vessel was initially built to serve as a passenger liner before being requisitioned by the British Admiralty for military use in the First World War.

swap_horiz

Looking for SS Laurentic alternatives? Compare top competitors ranked & scored

arrow_forward