RMS Oceanic (II)

SS Oceanic (II) -- Pub Raphael Tuck & Sons'

Built: 1899, Harland & Wolff, Belfast.    Yard No: 317 Funnels: 2   Masts: 3 Tonnage: 17,272 GRT Dimensions: 214.6 x 20.8 m / 704 x 63.8 ft. Engines: Triple Expansion by builders. Twin Screw;  28,000 IHP;  19, max 21 kn. Hull: Steel, fcsle-130 ft, poop-75 ft Coal: 480 Tons per day. Passengers: 410-1st Class, 300-2nd Class, 1,000-Steerage. Crew: Not Listed.

The Oceanic was the first vessel to exceed the length of the Great Eastern, but not her tonnage.

The Oceanic was launched on January 14, 1899 and delivered on August 26, 1899. At the time of delivery, she was the largest ship in the world until 1901. On September 6, 1899 the Oceanic made her maiden voyage from Liverpool to New York. While at anchor in the Mersey in 1900, she was struck by lightning and lost her main topmast. In September 1901, the Oceanic ran down the British coaster Kincora in fog off Tuskar Rock. The Kincora sank immediately with the loss of seven lives. In 1905 there was a mutiny on board with thirty-five stokers subsequently convicted. In 1907 she was transferred to Southampton termnals, and on June 19, 1907 she made her first voyage from Southampton to New York. In 1914 she was commissioned as an armed merchant cruiser, assigned to the 10th cruiser squadron. She was commanded by a Royal Navy Captain, with no experience with such a large ship, and her own master also present. On September 8, 1914 she was wrecked in a flat calm and clear weather three miles southeast of Foula Island, twenty miles west of Shetland.The ship was attempting at high water to navigate to the west of the island but due to a navigational error, compounded by dual responsibility, the fast current carried her off course and she grounded on Hoevdi Rocks in the Shaalds. The trawler Glenogil attended to her and transferred some 400 men to Alsatian and other ships now standing by. On September 11 attempts to save the ship failed and two weeks later, rough seas rose and the working of the ship stoved in her bottom. By March 1924, much of the ship remained and she was cut down to water level and salvaged. In 1973 work began to remove the remaining wreck. In 1979 the last worthwhile remnants were taken.

SS Oceanic (II) -- Pub. Raphael Tuck & Sons'

RMS Oceanic (II) --  leaving New York Official White Star Line Card

RMS Oceanic (II) -- Private Mailing Card Official White Star Line Card

RMS Oceanic (II) -- Britain's Bulwarks Series

RMS Oceanic (II) -- 2nd Saloon Menu Card August 27, 1900

RMS Oceanic (II) -- Abstract of Log -- May 7 thru 14, 1913 -- Southampton to New York

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