The Louis was a Merchant Steamship en route from Halifax, Nova Scotia to St. Helen's Roads with a mixed cargo of flour, oats, timber and 18lb (8.16 kg) artillery shells (destined for Flanders). Late on April 18th 1918, whilst she was rounding St. Catherine's Point, she was torpedoed by UC-71 (Oberleunant Marcheza) killing 4 of her crew. Even though the Luis was in convoy, the attack was made on the surface. The torpedoes struck the engine room and the port side bunkers - the ship sank 1/4 of a mile off Luccombe Chine.
The masts and funnel remained visible above the water until the early 1920s, but it was cleared to protect shipping. In 1973 the Luis was rediscovered and salvage teams recovered tons of artillery shells.
Depth: 18m
Location: 50 36.45 N 01 09.92 W
Access: RIB
