SS Alesia

Career (France)
Name: SS Alesia
Port of registry: Marseilles
Route: Mediterranean - United States
Builder: Thomas Royden & Sons
Launched: June 1882
Fate: Sold for scrap in 1899
General characteristics
Displacement: 2,790 GRT
Length: 328 ft 0 in (99.97 m)
Beam: 40 ft 4 in (12.29 m)
Propulsion: Steam engine, sails.
Speed: 11 knots (20 km/h)
Capacity:

Passengers:

  • 18 first class
  • 1,000 third class

The SS Alesia was a 2,790 GRT ocean liner built for the Fabre Line in 1882. She served until 1899 when she was scrapped.

Description

Alesia was 328 feet 0 inches (99.97 m) long, with a beam of 40 feet 0 inches (12.19 m). She had a single funnel and two masts. Her engines were made by G. Forrester & Company, Liverpool. They could propel her at 12 knots (22 km/h). Her GRT was 2,790.[1] Alesia had accommodation for 12 first class and 1,000 third class passengers.[2]

History

Alesia was built by Thomas Royden and Sons in Liverpool.[3] She was launched in June 1882, and entered service with the Fabre Line under the French flag.[1] Her port of registry was Marseilles.[4] Her maiden voyage was from Livorno, Italy to New York, United States via Tarragona, Spain, Bône, Algeria, Almería, and Malaga, Spain.[1] Most of her service was between ports in the Mediterranean and New York.[2]

On 4 December 1883, Alesia was spotted by SS Anglian under sail at as her steam engine was out of action.[5]

In September 1887, Alesia was placed in quarantine on arrival at New York due to an outbreak of cholera. Eight people had died from the disease on the journey from Marseilles, France and Naples, Italy.[6] By 10 October, the death toll was 25.[7] A further 2 deaths were reported,[8] before the ship came out of quarantine on 26 October.[9]

Alesia arrived at Algiers, Algiera on 29 May 1899 with her cargo of sulphur on fire. The ship's cook had been killed by the fire. She was on a voyage from Palermo, Italy to New Orleans, United States.[4]

References

  1. ^ a b c "SHIP DESCRIPTIONS - A, A Descriptions AA to AQ". The Ships List. http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/descriptions/ShipsA.html. Retrieved 7 February 2011. 
  2. ^ a b "Alesia". Ellis Island Ships collection. The Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation, Inc.. http://www.ellisisland.org/shipping/Formatship.asp?shipid=20. Retrieved 21 July 2010. 
  3. ^ Royden, E.B. Thomas Royden & Sons, Shipbuilders(1952)(Appendix - complete register of vessels built at the yard)
  4. ^ a b "Disasters At Sea" The Times (London). Tuesday, 30 May 1899. Issue 35842, col F, p. 6.
  5. ^ "Latest Shipping Casualties" The Times (London). Tuesday, 14 December 1883. Issue 31003, col G, p. 7.
  6. ^ "The United States" The Times (London). Saturday, 24 September 1884. Issue 32186, col C, p. 5.
  7. ^ "The United States" The Times (London). Wednesday, 12 October 1887. Issue 32201, col D, p. 5.
  8. ^ "The United States" The Times (London). Monday, 17 October 1887. Issue 32205, col C, p. 5.
  9. ^ "Foreign News" The Times (London). Thursday, 27 October 1887. Issue 32214, col F, p. 5.