The Otranto was built in Belfast by Workman Clark in 1909, she was commisioned by the Orient Steam Navigation Company. In 1914 she was taken over by the Government and used as an armed merchant ship. On the 24th September 1918 the Otranto left New York on the last voyage she would ever make, she was part of a convoy carrying troops and supplies to the battle grounds of Flanders. By the time the convoy reached Scotland it was early October, the weather was terrible and the convoy had been blown off course by some 20 miles. After battling through the heavy seas for some time the Otranto turned northwards and out of one of the massive waves came another of the convoy ships; collosion was inevitable. After the collision the Otranto steamed on for an hour before her engines came to a halt, she drifted aimlessly towards the massive cliffs of Machir bay. Attempts were made to save the men but over three hundred of the crew lost their lives.

The wreck today :The Otranto, which was over 530 feet long now lies 500 metres of shore below the radar station on the cliffs of Machir Bay. The wreck is spread over a very large area and the depths vary from between 9 to 18 metres. The keel is still pretty much intact but the rest has been battered by the seas over the years. There are still live warheads and boxes of cordite on the wreck so care must be taken whislt diving on her. Inflatables can be launch from Kilchiaran Bay, on leaving the bay turn right and following the shore line until you get below the radar station.