Charted as IRA (Possibly), 'entire wreck' in the Marine zone.
Vessel structure:
Lies in position 51°11.06N, 001°31.13E at a depth of 7m in a general depth of 12m.
Sonar dimensions: 103 x 18 x 5.4m. Orientation: 155°. Scour depth 3m. Scour length: 120m. Scour orientation: 230°.
'Upright, bows SE, broken forward of midships.' There is no debris field around the wreck.
Although the condition of the wreck is known, her identity is assumed rather than confirmed. (1, 26.3.10)
Documentary evidence:
'After stranding close to the wreck of the LURAY VICTORY, the Walmer lifeboat was launched and her coxswain
agreed with the Greek Master, that tugs should be engaged in an attempt to refloat her. In due course, the [tugs]
LADY DUNCANNON and the LADY BRASSEY arrived on the scene. The tug masters had no sooner left the
wreck, having got the master to sign an open Lloyd's salvage form, that there were a series of ear-splitting cracks as
the hull commenced to split. Derricks swayed toppled and fell, then the entire bridge structure collapsed. The entire
crew were thrown into a panic, and as soon as the lifeboat got back alongside it was overwhelmed by fighting,
struggling men, each carrying all his baggage. Many threw themselves of the deck to land on top of the lifeboatmen
below. [The coxswain] later said `I have never seen such a panic in my life. Ship's lifeboats were being lowered at
random, others just drifted off either with one man aboard or empty, with men trampling over eachother in the
passageways trying to save their belongings.'
Built: 1943
Builder: Todd-Houston
Where built: Houston
LBD: 134.7 x 17.4 x 8.2m (1) (2) 134.6 x 17.3m
Tonnage: 7244
Propulsion: Screw-driven 3-cylinder triple expansion steam engine
Speed: 11 knots
Ownership: 1943 - Built for the US Government as the HARRY PERCY and registered in Piraeus (4), 1947 - Sold to Societe Commerciale et d'Armement SA in 1947 and re-named IRA