Built in 1912 by Antwerp Engineering Co, the Hispania was a steel, single-screw steamer measuring 236.8 ft in length. On 17th December 1954 She was en route from Liverpool to Varberg, Sweden, with a cargo of steel, asbestos and rubber.
The weather in the Irish Sea was poor so Captain Dahn sought the shelter of the islands, sighting Mull on the evening of 18th December. The storm was still raging, with driving rain and sleet reducing the visibility almost to nil. As the Hispania approached Tobermory just before 9pm, she struck the Sgeir Mor reef with enough force to halt her completely. Although she was quickly eased backwards off the reef, she started to list heavily to port and was taking in water rapidly.
Twenty one crewmen made their escape in two lifeboats, rowing across the sound to land on the Morven shore, but Captain Dahn went down with his ship.
