Namesake Russia Length 156 m Builder Harland and Wolff | Owner Leyland Line Launched 7 July 1895 Beam 18 m | |
Name SS Victorian (1895–1914) SS Russian (1914–1916) | ||
SS Russian was a British Cargo ship of the 1895 Victorian class ocean liner that was torpedoed and sunk by UB-43 210 miles East of Malta in the Mediterranean Sea, while she was travelling from Salonica, Greece, to Newport, United Kingdom, in ballast.
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Construction
Russian was constructed as a cattle and Cargo carrier in 1895 for the Leyland company at the Harland & Wolff Ltd. shipyard in Belfast, United Kingdom. She was launched on 7 July 1895 and was one of a class of four ships. She was named Russia and completed her maiden voyage from Liverpool, United Kingdom, to Boston, United States. She sailed under the name Victorian from 1895 to August 1914. She served from 1895 until her demise in 1916.
The ship was 156.2 metres (512 ft 6 in) long, with a beam of 18.1 metres (59 ft 5 in). The ship was assessed at 8,825 GRT. She had a 1 x 3 cyl. triple expansion engine, single shaft driving a single screw propeller.
Boer War
SS Russian, then called SS Victorian, served as a transport ship during the Boer war in November 1899. She mostly carried horses to South Africa and was used intensively on this operation.
Sinking
On 14 December 1916, Russian was on a voyage from Salonica, Greece, to Newport, United Kingdom, in ballast. When she was torpedoed by UB-43 210 miles East of Malta in the Mediterranean Sea. 28 crew members lost their lives during the sinking.
Other Facts
SS Russian had 3 sister ships which all sank too:
They were built for the Leyland line between 1895 and 1898.
- She completed her first journey to New York City, United States, on 24 April 1903.
- She changed her name to Russian in August 1914 so there would be no confusion with the SS Victorian from Allan line.
Wreck
The current wreck position is unknown.