Waterford in County Waterford, Munster, Ireland — Irish South-West ((Éire) North Atlantic Ocean)
S.S. Formby
1917
Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, May 16, 2026
1. S.S. Formby Marker
On December 15th 1917, as the S.S. Formby sailed from Liverpool on her last homeward voyage before Christmas, no doubt the crew of her sister ship wished her “Good luck, see you on the Mall.” Sadly, this was not to be as the steamer was torpedoed off the Wicklow coast & sank in minutes. There was no warning & were no survivors. Only one body, that of Annie O’Callaghan the stewardess, was recovered off the Pembrokeshire coast. On board were 37 crew & 2 passengers. These were merchant seamen engaged in peaceful trading between Waterford & Liverpool bringing essential supplies of food & goods between both countries.Charles Minards, Master • Archibald Gillies, 1st Mate • James Rankin, 2nd Mate • Maurice Butler, Carpenter • William Fortune, Seaman • Edward Burke, Seaman • Thomas Keating, Seaman • John Hurley, Seaman • Thomas Coffey, Seaman • James Clawson, Seaman • John Burns, Seaman • Patrick Doyle, Seaman • John Moir, 1st Engineer • William Lumley, 2nd Engineer • John Lemmon, 3rd Engineer • Thomas Condon, Fireman • Walter Hennebry, Fireman • John Walsh, Fireman • Patrick Cooke, Fireman • George Carpendale, Fireman • William Connolly, Fireman • Richard Murphy, Fireman • John Kiely, Fireman • Maurice Hennebry, Donkeyman • Edward Hennessy, Winchman • George Sinclair, Steward • James Morrissey, Cook • Annie O’Callaghan, Stewardess • Christopher Connor, Gunner • Daniel Coutts, Gunner • John Hayes, Cattleman • Martin Eustace, Cattleman • James Manning, Cattleman • John McGrath, Cattleman • Dan O’Connell, Cattleman • John O’Brien, Cattleman • Jermiah O’Sullivan, Cattleman • Michael O’Brien, Passenger • James White, Passenger
Go dtuga Dia suaimhneas síoraí dá n-anamacha go léir.
May God grant eternal rest to all their souls.
Unveiled by Mary Robinson
President of Ireland
MCMXCVIII
Erected 1998.
this page online
Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • War, World I • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical date for this entry is December 15, 1917.
Location. 52° 15.637′ N, 7° 6.295′ W. Memorial is in Waterford, Munster, in County Waterford. It is at the intersection of Bank Lane and Adelphi Quay, on the left when traveling east on Bank Lane. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: 2 Bank Lane, Waterford, Munster, Ireland. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this memorial is in the Ancient East. Globally, it is on the Atlantic Ocean, in the North Atlantic Region, in Europe, on the Island of Ireland, on the Celtic Fringe, in the European Union, in Atlantic Europe, on one of the British Isles, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: S.S. Coningbeg (here, next to this marker); Reginald's Tower (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Reginald's Tower (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Reginald's Tower (within shouting distance
Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, May 16, 2026
2. S.S. Formby Memorial
The S.S. Formby memorial stands along the Waterford quay.
Also see . . . The SS Formby (Waterford Treasures).
The S.S. Formby was launched in Dundee in 1914. On the weekend of the 15/16 December 1917 gale force winds with blizzards said to have been the worst in living memory were blowing in the Irish Sea and when the S.S. Formby failed to dock in Waterford as planned on Sunday morning the 16th it was assumed she was delayed because of the bad weather. With still no sighting of her by Monday 17th it was hoped that she had hove to, or sheltered somewhere during the worst of the storm. The S.S. Formby was equipped with wireless and allowing for war time restrictions on broadcasting, word of her whereabouts should have arrived at the company’s office in Waterford. By Monday evening the worst was feared.(Submitted on June 21, 2026, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York.)
Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, May 16, 2026
3. S.S. Formby Marker
The memorial is twinned with the memorial to the S.S. Coningbeg.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 22, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 21, 2026, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 9 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 21, 2026, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
