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USCG Case History

In the early afternoon of January 8, 1979, the tanker Betelgeuse exploded at the
offshore pier of the Gulf Oil Terminal at Whiddy Island in Bantry Bay, Ireland.
 
The tanker broke in two and settled in 130 feet of water with 300,000 barrels
of oil remaining onboard.  The fire burned throughout the day.  During the night
the fire was extinguished and the stern section sank completely.  Approximately
14,720 barrels of oil leaked from the vessel, 3,680 barrels of which impacted
the shoreline.