Port of registry United Kingdom Tonnage 18,150 GRT Length 190 m | Launched 23 July 1910 | |
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Builder Swan, Hunter & Wigham Richardson | ||
The RMS Franconia was an ocean liner operated by the Cunard Line. She was launched on 23 July 1910 at the Swan, Hunter & Wigham Richardson shipyard in Newcastle upon Tyne.
Her maiden voyage in February 1911, was between Liverpool and Boston,USA. She was nicked name the Bathroom ship as she had more bathrooms and showers on board than the 'Mauretania'. She was unusual, as she did not have staterooms on the upper deck, instead she had a library, gymnasium and a lounge and smoking room.
After several years service primarily in the North Atlantic, she was taken into service as a troop transport in early 1915. On 4 October 1916, while heading for Salonika, she was torpedoed and sunk by the German U-boat UB-47 195 miles east of Malta. She was not carrying any troops but out of her 314 crew members, 12 died. The others were saved by the Hospital Ship Dover Castle.