U-Boat SM U-19

The U-19 was the u-boat that took Sir Roger Casement, Robert Monteith and Daniel Bailey from Germany to Ireland in 1916.

The task was originally given to U-20 but this vessel developed a fault shortly after starting out and had to return to port.

Having dropped Casement, Monteith and Bailey in Ireland, U-19 ventured towards the Bay of Biscay sinking 6 ships before returning to port :

21st April 1916  : Feliciana 0 casualties

22nd April 1916 :  Jozsef Agost Foherzeg 0 casualties

22nd April 1916 : Ross 0 casualties

23rd April 1916 : Parisiana 0 casualties

23rd April 1916 : Ribston 0 casualties

25th April 1916 : Carmanian 2 casualties (some accounts say 3)

New York Times

The King of Norway awards a silver cup to Father Tom Jones for leading the rescue of some of the Carmanian sailors off the coast of Kerry. Money and scrolls awarded to 3 farmers who aided in the rescue. All 4 receive awards from the Carnegie Trust.

The U-45 was operating nearby and sank 4 ships in the period to 2nd May 1916

27th April 1916 : Industry 0 casualties

30th April 1916 : Vinifreda 0 casualties

2nd May 1916 :  Le Pilier 0 casualties

2nd May 1916 :  Maud 0 casualties


The U-67 operated in the area before U-19 and U-45 sinking 3 ships :

16th April 1916 :  Cardonia 0 casualties

20th April 1916 :  Whitgift  32 dead, 1 survivor

22nd April 1916 : Chanaral 0 casualties


The sinking of the Cairngowan is mentioned in Danger Zone by E Keble Chatterton in a chapter on the Easter Rising. This was sunk by U-69 which appears to have been operating in the area off Kerry and to have sunk 8 ships in the period 15th to 20th April 1916.