Carmarthen

nationality: british

type of wreck: cargo

propulsion: steamer

weight (tons): 4262

dimensions (m) 115,8x15,5x--

cause lost: torpedo

date lost: 26/07/1917  

date built: 1916 under the name Arlington

builder: Gray, W Hartlepool

owner: H. Samman & Co.

depth (m): 20 max. / 17 min. Stands 3m high Well salvaged;

Orientation NNW-SSE.

The 4262-ton armed steamer Carmarthen sank on 26 July, 1917 after being torpedoed by UC-50. Kapitanleutnant R. Seuffer had laid all his mines when he spotted the Welsh steamer in convoy rounding the Lizard riding high in ballast from Genoa for the Tees having called at Falmouth. His torpedo hit her close to the engine room, and though her engines continued working, she started taking in water fast.

Captain Griffith Roberts, who thought he had been mined, ordered his crew to abandon ship. However, Commander J.A. Collett of the patrol trawler St. Hubert was soon alongside and disagreed with abandoning the steamer. Despitebher extensive flooding, he felt that they might be able to beach her. Soon tugs had the steamer in tow. They made some headway anf she managed to reach the shallows off Kennack sands before at 8pm Carmarthen grounded at 50 00 07; 05 07 27W in Eagle Cove a mile to the west of Black Head, and became a total loss.

Today the wreck of the Carmarthen is a pleasant dive with much marine life around her in 20m. Most of the broken wreckage stands 3m proud, though her boilers are a good 5m from the sand/shingle seabed. She has been well salvaged. Her 12-pdr Japanese gun is gone, but there is some ammunition for it buried under the sand.