SS Mohegan

SS Mohegan was a steamship built by the Clydebank engineering and shipbuilding company, John Elder & Co., for the Atlantic Transport Line. She was launched in 1897 and was originally named SS Cleopatra. However, she was renamed SS Mohegan before her second voyage. The ship is most known for her tragic sinking on her second voyage near the Manacles rocks, off the coast of Cornwall, England, in 1898.

Construction and Design

The SS Mohegan was a twin-screw steamer, measuring 482 feet in length and 52 feet in breadth. She was powered by two triple-expansion steam engines, which were also built by John Elder & Co. The ship was designed to carry both passengers and cargo, with luxurious accommodations for up to 90 first-class passengers.

Service and Sinking

The SS Mohegan embarked on her maiden voyage from London to New York City in August 1898. Her second voyage, which turned out to be her last, began on 13 October 1898. The ship, carrying 106 passengers and 97 crew members, struck the Manacles rocks and sank within 20 minutes. Only 44 people survived the disaster.

Aftermath and Legacy

The sinking of the SS Mohegan is considered one of the worst maritime disasters in British history. The wreck site is now a popular location for scuba diving, and the ship's bell, recovered from the wreck, is displayed in the church of St Keverne in Cornwall.

See Also

• List of shipwrecks of Cornwall
• Maritime history of the United Kingdom
• John Elder & Co.