SS Britannic |
|
| Career | |
|---|---|
| Name: | Britannic |
| Owner: | White Star Line |
| Port of registry: | |
| Route: | Atlantic crossing. |
| Builder: | Harland & Wolff, Belfast, Ireland |
| Laid down: | February 3, 1874 |
| Maiden voyage: | June 25, 1874 |
| Honors and awards: |
Blue Riband winner |
| Fate: | Sold, Scrapped 1903 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type: | Steamship, Twin funnel |
| Tonnage: | 5,004 tons |
| Length: | 468 ft (142.65 m) |
| Depth: | 45 ft (13.72 m) |
| Installed power: | Steam |
| Propulsion: | Single screw |
| Sail plan: | 4 masts |
| Speed: | 15 knots (28 km/h) |
| Capacity: | 1,300 |
| Crew: | 150 |
SS Britannic was the first of three ships to sail with Britannic name. All were part of the White Star Line, famous for Titanic and other ocean liners.
Britannic was a steamship equipped with sails. It was initially to be called Hellenic, but, just prior to her launch, her name was changed to Britannic. Its twin was Germanic. Britannic sailed for nearly thirty years, primarily carrying immigrant passengers on the highly trafficked Liverpool to New York route. In 1876 it received the Blue Riband, both westbound and eastbound, by averaging almost 16 knots (30 km/h).
The Britannic and her sister Germanic were both built to carry 266 Saloon Class Passengers (Title of First Class at that time) and 1,500 steerage passengers. As the ships were virtually larger versions of the "Oceanic" class ships built in the previous years, their accommodations were very similar, with some variances to give each ship its own character. Her Saloon Accommodations, consisting of a large, spacious Dining Saloon and a large number of two and four berth cabins were located in the center of the ship on the main deck, being the upper of the two decks enclosed within the hull above the waterline. The Steerage Accommodations were divided into two main sections at either end of the ship, berths for Single Men in the bow and berths for Single Women, Married Couples and Families in the Stern.
On 19 May 1887, at about 5:25 in the afternoon the White Star liner, SS Celtic collided with Britannic in thick fog about 350 miles (560 km) east of Sandy Hook, New Jersey. Celtic, with 870 passengers, had been steaming westbound for New York City, while Britannic, carrying 450 passengers, was on the second day of her eastward journey to Liverpool. The two ships collided at almost right angles, with Celtic burying her prow 10 feet (3 m) in the aft port side of Britannic. Celtic rebounded and hit two more times, before sliding past behind Britannic.
Six steerage passengers were killed outright on board Britannic, and another six were later found to be missing, having been washed overboard. There were no deaths on board Celtic. Both ships were badly damaged, but Britannic more so, having a large hole below her waterline. Fearing that she would founder, the passengers on board began to panic and rushed the lifeboats. Britannic's captain, pistol in hand, was able to restore some semblance of order, and the boats were filled with women and children, although a few men forced their way on board. After the lifeboats had launched, it was realized that Britannic would be able to stay afloat, and the lifeboats within hailing distance were recalled. The rest made their way over to Celtic. The two ships remained together through the night, and the next morning were joined by the Wilson Line's Marengo and British Queen of the Inman Line, and the four slowly made their way into New York Harbor.
A 2 and a half year old Eleanor Roosevelt was on board the Britannic at the time of the collision, with her father Elliot and her mother Anna and her Aunt Tissie. Eleanor was lowered into a lifeboat, screaming and protesting. She and her parents were taken to the Celtic, and eventually returned to New York. Eleanor raised a huge protest at the thought of getting back on board a ship to continue the family's trip to Europe. Her parents went on to Europe, leaving the little girl with a maternal aunt. Eleanor had a lifelong fear of water and ships as a result of this incident. [1]
| Records | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by City of Berlin |
Holder of the Blue Riband (westbound) 1876 – 1877 |
Succeeded by Germanic |
| Preceded by Germanic |
Atlantic Eastbound Record 1876 – 1879 |
Succeeded by Arizona |
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