SS Ajax (1889)

The SS Ajax was a Danish cargo ship that was torpedoed by SMU U-104 in the Bay of Biscay off Audierne, France, while she was travelling from Bilbao, Spain, to Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom.

Construction
SS Ajax was constructed in 1889 with yard no. 32 at the W. Dobson & Co. shipyard in Newcastle, United Kingdom. She was completed in 1889 and sailed under the name SS Antiquary under the British flag. She was sold in 1901 to Torm Dampskibselsskabet in Copenhagen, Denmark, where she remained operative until her sinking in 1917.

The ship was 64 m long, with a beam of 9.2 m. She had a depth of 5 m. The ship was assessed at. She had a triple expansion steam engine driving a single screw propeller. The engine was rated at 111 nhp.

Sinking
On 25 December 1917, Ajax was on a voyage in a convoy from Bilbao, Spain, to Cardiff, Wales. At 0200 hrs the Ajax was struck by one torpedo from SMU U-104 off Audierne, France (47.88333°N, -4.53333°W). The torpedo struck in the engine room which made the boilers explode a few seconds later and sent the ship to the bottom of the Bay in just 30 seconds. The survivors reached land in a badly damaged life boat. At the time of her sinking the Ajax was carrying a cargo of iron ore. The ship sank to a depth of over 58 m, along with its cargo and the eleven sailors. It is unknown how many men survived the sinking.

Wreck
The wreck sits 54 to 58 m deep at 47.88333°N, -4.53333°W.