RMS Empress of France (1914)

RMS "Empress of France" was an ocean liner built in 1913-1914 [The disambiguation date used in this article's title is not the year in which the hull is launched, but rather the year of the vessel's sea trial or maiden voyage.] by William Beardmore & Co Ltd. at Glasgow in Scotland for Allan Line.Ship List: [http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/descriptions/ShipsE.html Description of "Empress of France"] ] In total, the ship's service history encompasses 99 trans-Atlantic voyages, 5 trans-Pacific voyages, and 8 other cruises in addition to her war service. [see above] ]

History

This ship was the first North Atlantic liner with a cruiser stern. The vessel was built by William Beardmore & Co Ltd. at Glasgow. She was an 18,481 gross ton ship, length 571.4 ft x beam 72.4 ft, two funnels, two masts, four screws and a speed of 18 knots. Her initial configuration provided accommodation for 287-1st, 504-2nd and 848-3rd class passengers. [see above] ]

The ocean liner was initially launched as the SS "Alsatian" on March 22, 1912. She sailed from Liverpool on her maiden voyage to Saint John, New Brunswick for the Allan Line on January 17, 1914. On May 22, 1914, set out on her her first trans-Atlantic crossing from Liverpool to Quebec. Her last voyage that summer began on July 17, 1914; and when she returned to Europe, the nascent war in Europe brought a close to this truncated peacetime period of the ship's history. [see above] ]

World War I

During the First World War, peacetime the SS "Alsatian" was converted into an Armed Merchant Cruiser; and she joined the 10th Cruiser Squadron patrolling off the Shetland Islands. The HMS "Alsatian" became flagship for Commander Dudley de Chair. [Suydam, Henry. [http://www.ww1accordingtobob.com/pBlockade.php "How the British Blockade Works: An Interview with Rear-Admiral Sir. Dudley de Chair, KCB, MVO,"] "Brooklyn Eagle" (New York). 1916.] Later, the HMS "Alsatian" served as flagship for Vice Admiral Tucker. During the war years, she became one of the first ships to be fitted with the new wireless direction-finding apparatus. After the squadron was retired in 1917, she was re-fitted for peacetime service. [see above] ]

Between the wars

At war's end, the ship was added to the fleet of Canadian Pacific Ocean Services Ltd. (CP), which absorbed the entire Allan Line fleet. On September 28, 1918, the SS "Alsatian" began her first voyage from Liverpool to Canada as a newly flagged ship of the Canadian Pacific fleet. After a second, trans-Atlantic voyage, the "Alsatian" was taken out of service for refitting at Glasgow. [see above] ]

The ship was re-named "Empress of France" on April 4, 1919. This new "Empress" would have been distinguished by the Royal Mail Ship (RMS) prefix in front of her name because the British government and Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) had decades earlier reached agreement on a contract for subsidized mail service between Britain and Hong Kong via Canada. When not carrying mail, the ship would have been identified as SS "Empress of France." [see above] ]

The first voyage as a CP "Empress" began of September 26, 1919. She sailed from Liverpool to Quebec. On May 3, 1922, her regular route was changed; and she sailed between Southampton, Cherbourg and Quebec. On May 31, 1922, the route was modified yet again; and she sailed between Hamburg, Southampton, Cherbourg and Quebec. [see above] ]

In 1924, the ship was converted from coal to oil fuel. [see above] ]

In July 1926, her interiors were re-configured as 1st-class, 2nd-class, tourist-class and 3rd-class accommodations. In January 1927, the interior was again re-configured as 1st-class, tourist-class and 3rd-class. [see above] ]

On September 9, the "Empress" set out on what was to be her final Hamburg - Southampton - Cherbourg - Quebec voyage. On September 8, 1928, she sailed on final Southampton - Cherbourg - Quebec voyage before being transferred to the Pacific. [see above] ] On October 31, 1928, she sailed from Southampton for Suez, Hong Kong and Vancouver. Subsequently sailed on the Pacific until October 17, 1929 when she left Hong Kong en route to Liverpool. [see above] ] On September 2, 1931, the "Empress of France" set out for what was to be her final voyage from Southampton to Cherbourg and Quebec; and in then she was laid up in the Clyde. [see above] ] The "Empress" was scrapped at Dalmuir on Ocotber 20, 1934. [see above] ]

Notes

References

*

ee also

* CP Ships
* List of ocean liners
* List of ships in British Columbia
* Ronald Niel Stuart VC, DSO, Staff Captain (1924-1926)

External links

* Ships List: [http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/descriptions/ShipsE.html Description, RMS "Empress of France" at theShipsList.com]
* New York Public Library Digital Gallery:
** NYPL ID 92535, unknown photographer: [http://digitalgallery.nypl.org/nypldigital/id?92535 "Empress", portside view]