SS Cymric

SS Cymric

Cymric At Boston -- Official White Star Line Card

Built: 1898, Harland & Wolff, Belfast.
Yard No: 316
Funnels: 1 Masts: 4
Tonnage: 13,096 GRT
Dimensions: 182.6 x 19.5 m / 599 x 64.3 ft
Engine: Quadruple Expansion by builders.
Twin Screw; 6,800 IHP; 14.5 kn.
Hull: Steel, 3 Decks, Fcsle-104 ft, Bridge-257 ft, Poop-67 ft.
Passengers: 258-1st Class, 1,160-3rd Class
Crew: 110

Origianally intended as an enlarged Georgic (I), she was altered during building to omit the cattle space. This was extended and turned into steerage class. The concept of carrying passengers and cattle together was by now becoming unpopular.

The Cymric was launched on October 12, 1897 and delivered February 5, 1898. She made her maiden voyage on February 11, 1898 from Liverpool to New York. Although slow, she was very economical and with a large carrying capacity, soon proved to be very profitable. On January 1, 1900 as HM Transport No. 74 she made the first of two consecutive Boer War trooping voyages from Liverpool to Cape Town. She made the second voyage on March 1st. On December 10, 1903 she was placed on the experimental secondary Liverpool to Boston route. Remained on the route for years. In 1913 her passenger accommodation was changed to carry 2nd and 3rd class only. On December 20, 1914 she resumed Liverpool to New York service. On April 29, 1916 the Cymric left New York for Liverpool but with no passengers. On May 8 at 16.00 hours, she was torpedoed three times by U-20, the submarine that sank the Lusitania a year before, 140 miles west north west of Fastnet. The ship remained afloat until 03.00 on May 9. Five dead (4 killed by the explosions and one steward lost abandoning ship). 105 saved.