The RMS Carpathia, which saved Titanic survivors in 1912, was sunk by a German sub in 1918. Its wreck was found by NUMA, funded by Clive Cussler's novel royalties.
RMS Carpathia's tragic end
The RMS Carpathia, a ship that famously rescued 705 survivors from the Titanic in 1912, was itself sunk by a German submarine in 1918. The vessel was torpedoed off the coast of Ireland on July 17, 1918, resulting in the deaths of five crew members.Discovery of the wreck
The wreck of the Carpathia was found at a depth of approximately 150 meters by the National Underwater & Marine Agency (NUMA). Some sources suggest a depth of 171 meters, indicating possible variations in the measurements taken.Carpathia's construction and history
Built by the C.S. Swan & Hunter shipyards in Wallsend, the Carpathia was a Cunard Line ship launched in 1902. It was 170 meters long and had a gross tonnage of 13,603 tons. Its role in rescuing Titanic survivors is well documented in historical records.Attack by German submarine U-55
The U-55, commanded by Wilhelm Werner, attacked the Carpathia with two torpedoes. As the crew tried to evacuate, a third torpedo sank the ship. Werner had previously sunk 61 merchant ships and later fled to Brazil before joining the Nazi party and the SS.NUMA's role in the discovery
NUMA, founded by author Clive Cussler, located the Carpathia's wreck after funding the expedition through royalties from his novels, including Raise the Titanic. The discovery at such a great depth was a major accomplishment, requiring overcoming challenges like darkness, pressure, and strong currents.
