The SS Connemara was a twin screw steamer measuring 272 feet (83 meters) in length, 35 feet (11 meters) in breadth, and 14 feet (4.3 meters) in depth. She had a gross register tonnage of 1,106, indicating a sizable vessel designed for passenger or cargo service. The ship was operated under experienced command, with Captain G. H. Doeg at the helm during her final voyage. Constructed as a steam-powered vessel with twin screws, the Connemara was navigating the waters near Carlingford Lough, County Louth, Ireland. Her service history includes regular routes between Greenore and Holyhead, with her departure from Greenore at 8 p.m. prior to her fatal encounter. On the night of 3 November 1916, amid extremely adverse weather conditions characterized by mountainous seas, darkness, and gale-force southwest winds opposing a strong ebb tide, Connemara met her tragic end. She was traveling outbound, heading to Holyhead, when she encountered the inbound collier Retriever approximately half a mile beyond the Carlingford bar, near the narrow channel marked by Haulbowline lighthouse. Both vessels had their lights dimmed to evade U-boat detection, and their crews, including Captains Doeg and Patrick O'Neill, were alert but constrained by the treacherous conditions. The Retriever, suffering from cargo-induced listing, collided with the Connemara on her port side, causing severe damage from bow to amidships. The collision penetrated Connemara's hull to the funnel, leading to her rapid sinking within minutes. Her boilers exploded upon contact with the cold water, contributing to the chaos and destruction. Retriever, with her bow severely damaged, took about 20 minutes to sink 200 yards away from Connemara, also experiencing boiler explosions. The disaster resulted in 97 fatalities, with only one survivor, fireman James Boyle of Retriever. The wreckage and bodies washed ashore over subsequent weeks, with many victims badly mutilated or burned due to boiler explosions. An inquest confirmed that the collision caused the drownings, highlighting the perilous navigation conditions of that night and the tragic loss of life associated with this maritime accident.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.