RMS Etruria
RMS Etruria was a transatlantic ocean liner built by John Elder & Co. in Glasgow, Scotland, and launched on 20 September 1884 for the Cunard Line, serving as one of the final single-screw steamships equipped with auxiliary sails before the line transitioned to more advanced propulsion systems.[1][2] As the sister ship to RMS Umbria, Etruria measured 501.6 feet in length and 57.2 feet in beam, with a gross tonnage of 7,718 tons that increased to 8,120 tons after modifications in 1890, and was powered by triple-expansion steam engines driving a single propeller to achieve a service speed of 19 knots.[1][3][4] Her maiden voyage departed Liverpool for New York on 25 April 1885, and on her return crossing in August that year, she captured the Blue Riband for the fastest eastbound transatlantic passage with a time of six days and nine hours, a title she reclaimed in 1887 with a record time of six days, four hours, and 50 minutes from Sandy Hook to Queenstown.[1][3] Throughout her career on the Liverpool–New York route until 1908, Etruria accommodated up to 550 first-class, 160 second-class, and 800 third-class passengers following a 1893 refit, transporting notable figures such as Winston Churchill in 1895, Bram Stoker in 1886, and Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. in 1898.[1][5][2] Despite her successes, the vessel encountered several mishaps, including a propeller shaft failure in 1902 that required rescue by the SS William Cliff near the Azores, a grounding in New York Harbor in 1903, and a devastating rogue wave later that year which damaged the bridge and claimed one life.[3][1] Etruria was withdrawn from service in 1908 after a collision with the dredger Mudhopper No. 19, laid up, and ultimately scrapped at Preston in 1910.[1][3][6]Design and construction
Specifications
The RMS Etruria was constructed as a steel-hulled ocean liner with a gross register tonnage of 7,718 GRT upon completion in 1885, which was later adjusted to 8,120 GRT following modifications.[7] Her dimensions measured 501.6 feet (152.9 m) in length, 57.2 feet (17.4 m) in beam, and 38.2 feet (11.6 m) in depth, providing a robust frame suitable for transatlantic voyages.[7] The ship's propulsion was provided by a single screw driven by a triple-expansion steam engine, developing 14,500 indicated horsepower and enabling a service speed of 19 knots.[8] She was also equipped with an auxiliary sailing rig configured as a three-masted barque, allowing supplemental sail power during favorable conditions, a feature that marked her as one of the last Cunard liners to incorporate such rigging.[9] Passenger accommodations were designed for luxury travel, initially offering space for 550 first-class and 800 second-class passengers upon entering service in 1885.[9] Following a refit in 1893, the configuration was updated to 550 first-class, 160 second-class, and 800 third-class berths to better accommodate the growing demand for steerage travel.[8] The interiors featured opulent Victorian-era designs, including grand saloons and elegantly appointed state rooms, reflecting the era's emphasis on comfort for affluent travelers.[8] Among her innovative features, Etruria was the first Cunard liner to incorporate refrigeration machinery for preserving perishable goods in cargo holds, enhancing the transport of fresh provisions across the Atlantic.[9] The steel hull construction contributed to her durability against the rigors of ocean travel, while the overall design prioritized both speed and reliability on North Atlantic routes. The crew complement numbered approximately 287 officers and seamen to manage operations and passenger services.[8]| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Gross Register Tonnage | 7,718 GRT (as built); 8,120 GRT (later)[7] |
| Length | 501.6 ft (152.9 m)[7] |
| Beam | 57.2 ft (17.4 m)[7] |
| Depth | 38.2 ft (11.6 m)[7] |
| Propulsion | Triple-expansion steam engine, single screw, 14,500 IHP[8] |
| Service Speed | 19 knots[8] |
| Sailing Rig | Three-masted barque[9] |
| Passenger Capacity (1885) | 550 first class, 800 second class[9] |
| Passenger Capacity (post-1893) | 550 first class, 160 second class, 800 third class[8] |
| Crew | Approximately 287[8] |