SS Haverford

SS Haverford
Postcard of SS Haverford from 1920
Career
Owner: American Line (1901–1921)
White Star Line (1921–1925)
Builder: John Brown & Company
Launched: 4 May 1901
In service: 1901
Out of service: 1924
Fate: Scrapped 1925
General characteristics
Type:Transatlantic liner
Tonnage:11635 tons

SS Haverford is a transatlantic liner American ship commissioned in 1901 for American Line, sometimes used by other companies of the International Mercantile Marine Company, she also served as a troop transport vessel during World War One. The ship was torpedoed twice, once in 1917 in which she suffered heavy damage. The ship was renovated and purchased by White Star Line, before being decommissioned in 1924 and demolished in Italy the following year.

History

Pre-World War I

Haverford was constructed by John Brown & Company of Clydebank, Scotland. She was launched on 4 May 1901, serving Southampton to New York. She was transferred to the Liverpool - Philadelphia route. During this time period, the ship was occasionally used by Red Star Line and Dominion Line. Red Star Line assigned Haverford to the Antwerp-New York route and Dominion Line used the ship for the Liverpool-Halifax-Portland route.

World War I

When the first World War began, Haverford became a troop transport ship. In 1917, the ship was attacked off the coast of Ireland by U-94. The ship was dealt heavy damage, but survived. After a six month renovation, the ship was again attacked by a German U-boat, again surviving, with less damage.

Post World War I

The ship was purchased by White Star Line in 1921 and retained the original ship name. This was unusual for White Star, as most of their vessels had names ending in "-ic." The ship was assigned to the Liverpool-Philadelphia route as well as the Hamburg-New York route. The ship experienced problems in 1924 which relegated it to dry dock. The ship made a final run to Philadelphia, and then was demolished in Italy in 1925.

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