SS Celtic (1872)

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The "Celtic" (later the Amerika), the first of two White Star ships to bear the name, was one of a pair of "Oceanic"-class liners commissioned by White Star, following the success of their first four steamships (the "Adriatic" being the other of the new pair). The new ship was originally supposed to be named the "Arctic", but since the American Collins Line had had a paddle-wheel steamer with that name which had sunk in 1854, the White Star management changed their minds, and settled on the name "Celtic".

In 1880, a young officer named Edward Smith, who would later become the Line's most celebrated Captain, and the Captain of "Titanic", joined the crew of "Celtic" as her Fourth Officer.

On May 19, 1887, at about 5:25 in the afternoon, the "Celtic" collided with the White Star liner "Britannic" in thick fog about convert|350|mi|km|-1 east of Sandy Hook, New Jersey. The "Celtic", with 870 passengers, had been steaming westbound for New York City, while the "Britannic", carrying 450 passengers, was on the second day of her eastward journey to Liverpool. The two ships collided at almost right angles, with the "Celtic" burying her prow convert|10|ft|m|0 in the aft port side of "Britannic". The "Celtic" rebounded and hit two more times, before sliding past behind "Britannic".

Six steerage passengers were killed outright on board "Britannic", and another six were later found to be missing, having been washed overboard. There were no deaths on board "Celtic". Both ships were badly damaged, but "Britannic" more so, having a large hole below her waterline. Fearing that she would founder, the passengers on board began to panic and rushed the lifeboats. "Britannic's" captain, pistol in hand, was able to restore some semblance of order, and the boats were filled with women and children, although a few men forced their way on board. After the lifeboats had launched, it was realized that "Britannic" would be able to stay afloat, and the lifeboats within hailing distance were recalled. The rest made their way over to the "Celtic". The two ships remained together through the night, and the next morning were joined by the Wilson Line's "Marengo" and the "British Queen" of the Inman Line, and the four slowly made their way into New York Harbor.

The "Celtic" was sold in 1893 to the Thingvalla Line. In 1898, the year that Thingvalla was absorbed into the Scandinavian American Line, the "Amerika" was scrapped.

ources and references

* [http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/Wrecks/brit&celtic.html reprint of an article from Illustrated London News, May 28, 1887 of the collision]
* [http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/lines/whitestar.html Info from The Ships List]
*http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/lines/thingvalla.html Thingvalla info]
* [http://www.euronet.nl/users/keesree/allships.htm E. Smith info source]