SS Sardinian was a British Passenger- and Cargo ship that was scrapped at Bilbao, Spain after 63 years of service (1875-1938).[1]

SS Sardinian around 1890
History
NameUnited Kingdom SS Sardinian
NamesakeSardinia
Owner
Port of registryUnited Kingdom Liverpool/Glasgow, United Kingdom
RouteLiverpool - Quebec - Montreal
BuilderRobert Steele & Co.
Yard number81
Laid down1874
Launched3 June 1874
Completed25 January 1875
Acquired25 January 1875
Maiden voyage29 July 1875
In service29 July 1875
Out of service1938
Identification71695
FateScrapped 1938
General characteristics
TypePassenger/Cargo ship
Tonnage4,376 GRT
Length121.92 metres (400 ft 0 in)
Beam12.87 metres (42 ft 3 in)
Depth6.01 metres (19 ft 9 in)
Installed power1 x 2 cyl. Compound engine and 3 Masts
PropulsionScrew propeller
Speed13 knots
Capacity
  • 120 First Class Passengers
  • 850 Third Class Passengers
Notes1 Funnel

Construction edit

Sardinian was constructed in 1874 at the Robert Steele & Co. shipyard at the Cartsburn yard in Greenock, United Kingdom for Allen Line. She was launched on 3 June 1874 and completed the following year. She made her first voyage on 29 July 1875 from Liverpool to Quebec to Montreal. The ship was 121.92 metres (400 ft 0 in) long, with a beam of 12.87 metres (42 ft 3 in) and a depth of 6.01 metres (19 ft 9 in). The ship was assessed at 4,376 GRT. She had 1 x 2 cyl. Compound engine driving a single screw propeller and 3 Masts. The engine was rated at 600 nhp.[1]

Career edit

Sardinian sailed mostly from Liverpool or Glasgow to different destinations in Canada like Montreal, Quebec and Halifax with some stopovers in the American cities of New York, Baltimore and Portland. Most of her voyages occurred without incident, but on 10 May 1878 after she had left Liverpool a coal bunker onboard exploded when she was near Moville, Ireland. The explosion killed and injured several Scandinavian passengers and the ship caught fire and was scuttled to extinguish it so that only her upper decks stuck out of the water. The survivors were brought to Derry, Ireland. She was ultimately salvaged and repaired and returned to service on 26 June 1878.[2] In 1897 the ship was re-engined with triple-expansion engines which created 316 nhp and her masts were reduced to two. It is important to note that the ship transported Guglielmo Marconi and his equipment on 26 November 1901 so he could set up a wireless station at St Johns, Newfoundland.[3]

The Sardinian continued to sail under Allan Line until she was bought by the Canadian Pacific Line in 1917. On 8 December 1920 she was sold again to Astoreca Azqueta and was reduced to a coal hulk at Vigo, Spain therefore ending her days at sea. She switched owners one last time in 1934 when she was bought by Compania Carbonera.[4]

Final days edit

SS Sardinian was sold for scrap on 22 June 1938 and was scrapped at Bilbao that same year ending her 63 year long career.[5]

References edit

  1. ^ a b "SARDINIAN". clydeships.co.uk. 2018. Retrieved 9 April 2018.
  2. ^ "Immigrants to Canada". uwaterloo.ca. 14 February 2007. Retrieved 9 April 2018.
  3. ^ "SHIP DESCRIPTIONS - S". norwayheritage.com. Retrieved 9 April 2018.
  4. ^ "S/S Sardinian, Canadian Pacific Line". theshipslist.com. 3 October 2016. Retrieved 9 April 2018.
  5. ^ "S/S Sardinian, Canadian Pacific Line". norwayheritage.com. Retrieved 9 April 2018.