SS Ithaka

The SS Ithaka was a Greek cargo steamship built in 1924 by Swan Hunter & Wigham Richardson Ltd., in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. Originally named the SS Sedgepool, it was renamed SS Ithaka in 1939. The vessel served primarily as a merchant ship transporting goods across the Atlantic and Mediterranean.

During World War II, the SS Ithaka was requisitioned by the British Ministry of War Transport and played a role in the Allied war effort, carrying vital supplies. Details of its specific wartime activities are somewhat limited but records indicate it was involved in numerous convoys and faced the constant threat of enemy U-boats and air attacks.

The ship was ultimately sunk on October 3, 1944, by the German submarine U-479 in the English Channel, approximately 15 nautical miles off the coast of Lyme Regis. The U-479 fired a torpedo which struck the SS Ithaka, causing it to sink rapidly. Tragically, a significant number of crew members lost their lives.

The wreck of the SS Ithaka lies on the seabed and is designated as a protected war grave under UK law. Diving on the wreck is generally restricted to protect it as a final resting place for those who perished.

The SS Ithaka serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by merchant seamen during World War II and the vital role that merchant shipping played in the Allied victory. Its story is representative of the countless cargo ships that braved dangerous waters to keep supply lines open and support the war effort.