RMS Empress of Scotland (1906)

RMS "Empress of Scotland" was the later name of an ocean liner built in 1905-1906 by Vulcan AG shipyard in Stettin (now Szczecin, Poland) for the Hamburg America Line. The ship was launched as the SS "Kaiserin Auguste Victoria"; and she regularly sailed between Hamburg and New York until the outbreak of war in Europe in 1914. At the end of hostilities, the re-flagged the USS "Kaiserin Auguste Victoria", transported war-weary American troops from Europe to the United States. For a brief time, Cunard sailed the re-flagged ship between Liverpool and New York.

The ship was refitted for Canadian Pacific Steamships and in 1921, she was renamed the "Empress of Scotland" -- the first of two CP ship to be named "Empress of Scotland." [The second SS "Empress of Scotland" (1930) was built for CP as the SS "Empress of Japan", then she was re-named in 1942 because of Japan's military actions in December 1941.] This "Empress" was distinguished by the Royal Mail Ship (RMS) prefix in front of her name while in commercial service with Canadian Pacific. [Simplon Postcards: [http://www.simplonpc.co.uk/ "Empress of Scotland", 4 images] ] When not carrying mail, the ship would have been identified as SS "Empress of Scotland."Ship List: [http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/descriptions/ShipsE.html Description of "Empress of Canada"] ]

History

The SS "Kaiserin Auguste Victoria", was built by Stettiner Vulcan AG in Stettin on the Baltic in 1905-1906. The new ship was ordered by the expanding Hamburg America Line.

German ship

When the keel was laid down as "Ship #264," this vessel was intended to be named the SS "Europa"; and she was to have been a sister ship to the SS "Amerika" which was being built in Belfast during the same period. At the time of her launching on August 29, 1905, her only peer in size was the very slightly larger "Amerika" which had been launched mere days earlier. The German Empress permitted the vessel to be named after her, and Empress Victoria participated in the launching ceremonies. [Michael, Paul. (2001). [http://books.google.com/books?id=rjq-nKe1PP8C&pg=PA134&dq=kaiserin+auguste+victoria&lr=&client=firefox-a&sig=Cd-BCoGLEn4scz6bTDivgXafbh4 "Hermann Broch, Visionary in Exile: The 2001 Yale Symposium," p. 134 n2.] ]

The 24,581-ton vessel had a length of 677.5 feet, and her beam was 77.3 feet. She had two funnels, four masts, twin screws and an average speed of 18-knots. The ocean liner provided accommodation for 472 first-class passengers and for 174 second class passengers. There was also room for 212 third-class passengers and for 1,608 fourth-class passengers. [see above] ]

The SS "Kaiserin Auguste Victoria" left Hamburg on May 10, 1906 on her maiden voyage to Dover, Cherbourg and New York. Thereafter, she regularly sailed the route between Hamburg and New York. [see above] ] In June 1914, the "Kaiserin August Victoria" made her last voyage under a German flag, sailing from Hamburg to Southampton, Cherbourg and New York and returning to Hamburg. [see above] ] During the Great War, the "Kaiserin Auguste Victoria" stayed in the port of Hamburg. In March 1919, she was surrendered to Britain. [see above] ]

American ship

The ship was chartered by the U.S. Shipping Board; and the U.S.S. "Kaiserin Auguste Victoria" carried American troops from Europe to America. This temporary U.S. Navy vessel flew the American flag as American troops were repatriated.U.S. Department of the Navy: [http://history.navy.mil/photos/sh-usn/usnsh-k/id3963.htm Naval Historical Center] ]

British ship

On February 14, 1920, the ship was chartered to Cunard, sailing under a British flag. The SS "Kaiserin Auguste Victoria" sailed between Liverpool and New York. [see above] ]

Canadian ship

On May 13, 1921, the ship was sold to Canadian Pacific; and she was re-named the "Empress of Scotland." The new "Empress" was refitted to carry 459 first-class passengers, 478 second-class passengers and 960 third-class passengers. At the same time, this refit incorporated a conversion to oil fuel. [see above] ]

On January 22, 1922, the "Empress of Scotland" embarked on her first voyage from Southampton to New York. On April 22, 1922, she made her second trans-Atlantic voyage, sailing the Southampton-Cherbourg-Quebec route. [see above] ]

On June 14, 1922 she transferred to the Hamburg-Southampton-Cherbourg-Quebec service. In 1923, she was involved in a collision with the SS "Bonus" at Hamburg. [see above] ]

In 1926, the "Empress" was refitted again, this time with accommodations for first-class, second-class, tourist-class and third-class passengers. In 1927, another refit resulted in first-class, tourist-class, and third-class accommodations. [see above] ]

On October 11, 1930, the "Empress of Scotland" made her last voyage from Southampton to Cherbourg and Quebec. [see above] ]

When the new "Empress of Britain" came into service, the once-grand vessel was sold for scrap. The ship was gutted by fire and sank in the ship-breakers yard at Blyth; but the hull was raised and what remained of the ship was dismantled. [see above] ]

Notes

References

* Michael, Paul. (2001). [http://books.google.com/books?id=rjq-nKe1PP8C&dq=kaiserin+auguste+victoria&lr=&client=firefox-a&source=gbs_summary_s&cad=0 "Hermann Broch, Visionary in Exile: The 2001 Yale Symposium."] Woodbridge, Suffolk, UK: Boydell & Brewer. 10-ISBN 1-571-13272-4
* Bird, Millard F. (1919). [http://books.google.com/books?id=7mIPHQAACAAJ&dq=kaiserin+auguste+victoria&lr=&client=firefox-a U.S.S. Kaiserin Auguste Victoria at Sea, Independence Day, July 4, 1919.] ]

ee also

* CP Ships
* List of ocean liners
* List of ships in British Columbia

External links

* The Ships List: [http://www.theshipslist.com/index.html Passenger ships web site]
* Simplon Postcards: [http://www.simplonpc.co.uk/ Canadian Pacific postcard images]
* New York Public Library Digital Gallery:
** NYPL ID 97716, unknown photographer: [http://digitalgallery.nypl.org/nypldigital/id?97716 "Empress", starboard view]