Üsküdar ferry disaster or Gulf Disaster is the disaster in which the city lines ferry named Üsküdar by the Turkish Maritime Enterprises on March 1, 1958 sank after the city lines ferry callapsized in the Gulf of Izmit. According to official figures, 392 people lost their lives in the disaster.[ 1] The disaster of the Üsküdar ferry was the most fatal[2] civilian sea accident ever in the history of the Republic of Turkey.

Üsküdar was a small passenger ferry built by Schichau Shipyards in Elbing, Germany, for the Company-i Hayriye and launched in 1927 with a chimney number 72.[ 3]

The Üsküdar ferry, which operated between Izmit and Gölcük on March 1, 1958, sank in a capssion due to the strong wind near Derince after departing from Izmit. Although official figures have been announced, there is no exact information about the number of people who lost their lives in the disaster. According to some sources, 200-300 passengers lost their lives, and according to eyewitnesses' statements, between 400 and 500 passengers. 4]

In the 1950s, there was no high school in Karamürsel and Gölcük. Land transportation means were also limited. The young people of these coastal districts also preferred the economical ferry journey. Since half a day of education was given on Saturdays, almost all of the students boarded the ferry with the lunch break. Most of the passengers were students of Izmit High School and Izmit Art Institute. Only 40 passengers were able to survive the disaster, the others disappeared between the waves with the Üsküdar ferry.

When it came to Derince, the captain's mansion of the Üsküdar ferry, which was caught in a severe storm and was mostly wooden, flew away. The ferry, which remained without an administration, sank by lying on its side. In some records, it is also mentioned that the ferry is divided into two.[ 5]

The submarine and warships, which came to help from the Navy Command in Gölcük, were able to save only a small part of the passengers who fell into the sea.

Gölcük Barbaros Hayrettin High School was established after this incident.

In 2013, a documentary film was made by director Berk Erözer under the name Üsküdar No. 72. On the gala night of the documentary, the survivors met for the first time in 58 years.