www.corkshipwrecks.net · Historical
Grounded on a reef at Guileen and broke up where it lay.
Dive Spot Guide•
The Chicago
Broken wreck dive with swim-throughs and seals.
Local operator required
Slack-water timing and war-grave etiquette are best handled with local Cork support.
Cork Harbour wreck with slack-water timing, broken structure, and a busy seal-and-conger reputation.
About The Chicago
The Chicago is a broken Cork Harbour wreck with swim-throughs, recognizable machinery, and a reputation for close seal encounters. It is a straightforward wreck dive rather than an intact liner, so the appeal is the structure, the machinery, and the busy life around the hull. Plan the dive around slack water and keep a calm pace through the broken sections. It is best treated as a cold-water historic wreck where tide timing matters more than depth alone.
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Research Estimate At The Chicago
Conservative baseline from public research. No community dives logged yet.
VisibilityVisibility: 15m
AccessModerate entry effort
Aquatic LifeGreat variety
FacilitiesBasic facilities
Crowd / PopularityModerate
CurrentStrong current
SurgeLight surge
Where Is The Chicago?
This spotNearby spotsExplore nearby spots on the map
Community sourced coordinates.
The Chicago Planning Details
Depth range, seasonality, and planning context.
Reported Depth
9m - 20m
Depth Note
The wreck lies in about 9-20 m of water, with broken structure, swim-throughs, and visible machinery.
Best Season
Late spring to early autumn; year-round diving is possible but winter storms make it harder.
Typical Conditions
Cold-water wreck diving with broken structure, swim-throughs, and tide-sensitive conditions.
Safety & Access At The Chicago
Site conditions, restrictions, and access requirements.
Site Conditions
Cold waterOverhead environmentRestricted accessStrong current
Safety Notes
Dive in slack water, use caution in the swim-throughs, and be ready for seals that may tug or play with fins.
Access Restrictions
Dive only in slack water and treat the wreck as a war grave.
Legal Notes
The wreck should be respected as a war grave, and local tide and access guidance should be followed.
Local Intel For The Chicago
Community notes to help plan your visit.
Scuba Diving
Broken wreck structure with swim-throughs and visible features like the boiler, engine, and prop shaft.
Freediving
Not a freedive target; the wreck profile and slack-water timing suit scuba.
Snorkeling
Snorkeling is not practical at the wreck depth.
Wildlife at The Chicago
Species commonly reported at this site, with direct links into their wildlife guides.
Recent Logged Visits At The Chicago
Community dive logs and visit reports for this site.
Dive Spot Log Averages At The Chicago
Average conditions based on logged dives & visits.
Conditions
Avg. Visibility15m
Activity
No dive activity logged yet.
