SS Laurentic

A glacial fjord in County Donegal in Ireland's untamed north slashes between the western side of the Inishowen Peninsula and the Fanad Peninsula. An armed merchant cruiser carrying 475 passengers and 43 tons of gold sank there on the evening of January 25, 1917, after colliding with two German mines.

The Laurentic, which was built in 1908 and was a luxury ocean liner until the start of World War I, was converted. Similar to the Titanic, it was constructed by Harland and Wolff in Belfast and was a part of the prestigious White Star Line fleet. The warship was on its way to the US and Canada to buy the much-needed war munitions. However, the Laurentic was destroyed in less than an hour after the fatal bombs were set off.

In a cold snowfall while attempting to leave the ship, 354 people perished from hypothermia. Those that made it were taken to Derry and given a pack of cigarettes and 10 shillings. Most of the gold ingots worth £5 million pounds (about £350 million now) were found between 1917 and 1924 by salvage workers. At least 20 bars, nevertheless, have never been located.