M V Britannic (III)

MV Britannic (III)

MV Britannic -- White Star Line Official Card

Built: 1930, Harland & Wolff, Belfast
Yard No: 807
Funnels: 2 Masts: 2
Tonnage: 26,943 GRT
Dimensions: 217.0 x 25.1 m / 712 x 82.3 ft
Engine: Burmeister & Wain Diesel by Harland & Wolff
Twin Screw; 20,000 SHP, 18 kn.
Hull: Steel, 8 decks, dummy forward funnel containing radio room, and the engineering officer's smoke room.
Passengers: 479-Cabin Class, 557-Tourist Class, 506-3rd Class
Crew: 500

The Britannic was the last vessel to fly White Star Line colors.

The Britannic was launched on August 6, 1929 and started on her sea trials May 27, 1930. After trials, she was delivered on June 21, 1930 and headed out on her maiden voyage on June 28, 1930 from Liverpool to New York with stops at Belfast and Glasgow. In 1934 the Cunard Line and the White Star Line merged to form Cunard White Star Line. The Britannic made her first voyage under the new company on April 19, 1935 from London to New York. The Britannic was put into service as troop transport on August 29, 1939. She was returned to Cunard White Star Line in March 1947, and was then sent to Liverpool for a refit. Her passenger accommodation was changed to: 429-1st Class, 564-Tourist Class. 27,666 GRT. On May 22, 1948 the Britannic made her first post-war voyage from Liverpool to New York. On June 1, 1950 the Britannic collided with the US cargo ship Pioneer Land of the US Lines in Ambrose Channel, New York. After she was inspected, she was allowed to continue with her voyage. During the winter she took 45 to 55 day cruises out of New York. Her tonnage was changed once again in 1959 to 27,778 GRT. On November 11, 1960 the Britannic made her final sailing from Liverpool to New York. Her return voyage began on November 25th when she left New York for the last time and arrived in Liverpool on December 2nd. This was to be the last passenger sailing by any White Star Line vessel. After a total of 275 voyages, the Britannic left Liverpool on December 16, 1960 under her own power, having been sold to British Iron & Steel Co. and then scrapped by Thomas W. Ward at Inverkeithing in 1961.