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RMS Baltic (1903)
Encyclopedia
RMS Baltic was an ocean liner
of the White Star Line
that sailed between 1904 and 1933. At 23,876 gross
ton
s, she was the largest ship in the world until 1905. She was the third of a quartet of ships, all measuring over 20,000 gross tons, dubbed The Big Four
(the other three being , , and ).
She was launched
on 21 November 1903 by Harland and Wolff
at Belfast
and sailed from Liverpool
on her maiden voyage
to New York
on 29 June 1904 with Captain Edward Smith in command.
On 23 January 1909 (commanded by J. B. Ranson
) she rescued survivors of the collision in fog between the White Star Line
's and the off the north eastern coast of the U.S.
, after which Republic sank.
On 14 April 1912, the Baltic sent an ice warning message to the :
She was also involved in a rescue on 6 December 1929, when she assisted the sinking schooner Northern Light.
On 17 February 1933, she sailed for Osaka
, Japan
where she was scrapped.
Ocean liner
An ocean liner is a ship designed to transport people from one seaport to another along regular long-distance maritime routes according to a schedule. Liners may also carry cargo or mail, and may sometimes be used for other purposes .Cargo vessels running to a schedule are sometimes referred to as...
of the White Star Line
White Star Line
The Oceanic Steam Navigation Company or White Star Line of Boston Packets, more commonly known as the White Star Line, was a prominent British shipping company, today most famous for its ill-fated vessel, the RMS Titanic, and the World War I loss of Titanics sister ship Britannic...
that sailed between 1904 and 1933. At 23,876 gross
Gross tonnage
Gross tonnage is a unitless index related to a ship's overall internal volume. Gross tonnage is different from gross register tonnage...
ton
Ton
The ton is a unit of measure. It has a long history and has acquired a number of meanings and uses over the years. It is used principally as a unit of weight, and as a unit of volume. It can also be used as a measure of energy, for truck classification, or as a colloquial term.It is derived from...
s, she was the largest ship in the world until 1905. She was the third of a quartet of ships, all measuring over 20,000 gross tons, dubbed The Big Four
Big Four (White Star Line)
The Big Four were a quartet of 20,000 tons ocean liners built by Harland & Wolff shipyard for the White Star Line in the early 20th century, completed in 1906: -Origin:...
(the other three being , , and ).
She was launched
Ship naming and launching
The ceremonies involved in naming and launching naval ships are based in traditions thousands of years old.-Methods of launch:There are three principal methods of conveying a new ship from building site to water, only two of which are called "launching." The oldest, most familiar, and most widely...
on 21 November 1903 by Harland and Wolff
Harland and Wolff
Harland and Wolff Heavy Industries is a Northern Irish heavy industrial company, specialising in shipbuilding and offshore construction, located in Belfast, Northern Ireland....
at Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
and sailed from Liverpool
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
on her maiden voyage
Maiden voyage
The maiden voyage of a ship, aircraft or other craft is the first journey made by the craft after shakedown. A number of traditions and superstitions are associated with it....
to New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
on 29 June 1904 with Captain Edward Smith in command.
On 23 January 1909 (commanded by J. B. Ranson
J. B. Ranson
Captain J. B. Ranson OBE was a commander of White Star Line liners. He was born in 1864. His marine career began at the age of 14, when he joined the Pacific Steam Navigation Company...
) she rescued survivors of the collision in fog between the White Star Line
White Star Line
The Oceanic Steam Navigation Company or White Star Line of Boston Packets, more commonly known as the White Star Line, was a prominent British shipping company, today most famous for its ill-fated vessel, the RMS Titanic, and the World War I loss of Titanics sister ship Britannic...
's and the off the north eastern coast of the U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, after which Republic sank.
On 14 April 1912, the Baltic sent an ice warning message to the :
"Greek steamer Athenia reports passing icebergs and large quantities of field ice today in latitude 41° 51' N, longitude 49° 52' W. Wish you and Titanic all success. Commander."
She was also involved in a rescue on 6 December 1929, when she assisted the sinking schooner Northern Light.
On 17 February 1933, she sailed for Osaka
Osaka
is a city in the Kansai region of Japan's main island of Honshu, a designated city under the Local Autonomy Law, the capital city of Osaka Prefecture and also the biggest part of Keihanshin area, which is represented by three major cities of Japan, Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
where she was scrapped.
World War Steaming Schedule
One of RMS Baltic's first major events during the World War was having been chosen to deliver Major General John J. Pershing and his staff to England. On 9 June 1917, the War Department released its first communique revealing the arrival of General Pershing in England, and this was published as follows:
"Baltic Carried Pershing Over. Londoners Preparing to Entertain American Soldiers. 10 U.S. Airmen in France. Pershing's Personal Staff and Other Members of General Staff Number 67 Officers and Are Accompanied by a Squad of 50 Privates and a Large Civilian Clerical Force- Pershing Anxious to Get into Harness. London, June 9.- Headed by Major General John J. Pershing, its commander, the first representation of the American army that is to enter the European war disembarked at a British port after an uneventful voyage of 10 day on board the White Star line Baltic. The party was received with full military honors and immediately entrained for London, where it arrived and was welcomed by the Earl of Derby, the minister of war; Viscount French commander of the British forces, and the American officials..."
External links
- http://www.greatships.net/baltic.html