Hello Clio! I hope I am not bumbling into your area of expertise? I started some searching around maritime losses off Wigtownshire in WW1 after reading about SS Main and SS Rio Verde sunk in Luce Bay and North Channel in late 1917 and early 1918 respectively.

I was able to access a copy of the booklet "Galloway Shipwrecks" by Peter C Miller (ISBN 0-9519115-0-3) and became aware of the many other losses in the area. By trawling uboat.net and other online sources I realised that one submarine, UC65, accounted for ten ships in the first 72 hours of May 1917. As I am only working in general terms, being an ignoramous on almost all matters maritime, the sinkings seem to be in 3 clusters;

Helen, Dora and Taizan Maru about 10 miles west of Mull of Galloway;

Ivrig and WDPotts about 10 miles to the northwest of that, that is 11-12 miles southwest of Port Patrick;

Amber, Morion, Earnest, Derrymore and Saint Mungo on the Irish side of the North Channel, between Skulmartin Light Vessel and South Rock LV, all well less than 10 miles off Ballyherbert.

Otto Steinbrinck does seem to have taken considerable risks by surface attacking, albeit that he had no torpedos available on UC65. Also by staying in an area of about 25 miles by 15 miles for so long.

What did surprise me, in my naievity, was that three of the victims were sailing ships. Ivrig must have been a splendid sight, 1197 tons and 210 feet by 35 feet. And she was only in ballast, such a loss for so little immediate gain.

Many thanks for all your input.

dave