-- commercial vessels -->
|
---|
Espagne was launched on 6 February 1909 with yard number 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 71.78m (235.5feet) long, with a beam of 11m (36feet). She had a depth of 3.73m (12.24feet).[1] The ship was assessed at . She had a triple expansion steam engine driving a single screw propeller. Steam was supplied by two boilers;[2] 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.[1]
Espagne was lying at anchor in the Bristol Channel on 5 March 1915, when at 17 minutes past midnight the British passenger liner (in use as a troop ship for the Royal Navy) HMT inbound from Avonmouth, collided with her. The Dongola was damaged below the waterline and taking on water on the starboard side at the bow.
She was subsequently beached in Porthkerry Bay, west of Barry and was able to patch the damage and temporarily stop the leak. Her passengers were taken off by two Royal Navy patrol ships with the Barry lifeboat being in attendance in case of need.[3] At 4.48 am the rising tide refloated the ship and she was winched into Barry Docks by 8 am. Dongola was repaired and returned to service on 17 March.[4]
On 25 December 1917, Espagne was in ballast on a voyage from Le Havre, Seine-Maritime, France to Newport, Monmouthshire, United Kingdom. Espagne was struck by one torpedo from off St. Catherine's Point, Isle of Wight, United Kingdom (50.4333°N -30°W).[5] The ship sank to a depth of over 40m (130feet),.[2]
The wreck sits 40mto50mm (130feetto160feetm) deep at 50.4417°N -1.4919°W and is mostly broken. The engine lies on its side and the two boilers one of which stands on one end.[2] [1]