Name Espagne Owner Armement Adolf Deppe Yard number 40 Length 72 m | Namesake Spain Port of registry Antwerp, Belgium Launched 6 February 1909 Beam 11 m | |
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Builder Chantiers Navals Anversois S.A | ||
The SS Espagne was a Belgian cargo ship that was torpedoed by SM UC-71 in the English Channel off St. Catherine's Point, Isle of Wight, United Kingdom while she was travelling from Le Havre, France to Newport, Monmouthshire, United Kingdom.
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Construction
Espagne was launched on 6 February 1909 with yard no. 40 at the Chantiers Navals Anversois shipyard in Hoboken, Antwerp, Belgium. She was completed the following month, having been ordered by the Antwerp shipping company Armement Adolf Deppe.
The ship was 71.78 metres (235 ft 6 in) long, with a beam of 11.00 metres (36 ft 1 in). She had a depth of 3.73 metres (12 ft 3 in).[Note 1] The ship was assessed at 1,463 GRT. She had a triple expansion steam engine driving a single screw propeller. Steam was supplied by two boilers; the engine was rated at 150 nhp. It was made by the North East Marine Engine Co Ltd. Hartlepool, County Durham, United Kingdom. Her crew numbered 24.
Sinking
On 25 December 1917, Espagne was in ballast on a voyage from Le Havre, Seine-Maritime, France to Newport, Monmouthshire, United Kingdom. At 6.35 AM, Espagne was struck by one torpedo from SM UC-71 off St. Catherine's Point, Isle of Wight, United Kingdom (50°26′N 1°29′W). The ship sank to a depth of over 40 metres (130 ft), with the loss of 21 men. Only three men survived the sinking and were rescued soon after.
The Wreck
The wreck sits 40 to 50 metres (130 to 160 ft) deep at 50°26′30″N 1°29′31″W and is mostly broken. The engine lies on its side and the two boilers one of which stands on one end.