SS Abbotsford
The SS Abbotsford was a brig-rigged iron passenger ship built by the Gourlay Brothers of Dundee for the Red Star Line, of Antwerp. Despite the company's home in Belgium, the liner was registered in Liverpool and flew the British flag.
| History | |
|---|---|
 United Kingdom | |
| Name: | SS Abbotsford |
| Operator: |
|
| Port of registry: |
Liverpool |
| Builder: | Gourlay Brothers, Dundee, Scotland |
| Launched: | 29 March 1873[1] |
| Maiden voyage: | Liverpool–Queenstown–Philadelphia, May 10, 1873 |
| Fate: | wrecked off Anglesey, July 19, 1875 |
| General characteristics | |
| Tonnage: | 2,554 GRT |
| Length: | 345 ft 11 in (105.44 m) |
| Beam: | 37 ft 2 in (11.33 m) |
| Propulsion: | Single screw |
| Sail plan: | Four masts |
| Speed: | 14 knots (26 km/h) |
| Capacity: | 30 Saloon, 650 steerage passengers |
| Notes: | Single funnel, iron hull |
She was launched on March 29, 1873. Her maiden voyage from Liverpool to Philadelphia started on May 10, 1873 for the Red Star.
On November 24, 1874 the Abbotsford collided with the SS Indus on the way to New York from Antwerp. Repairs were made in London, England. That same year, small pox broke out on the ship forcing the hospitalization of 8 passengers with the other passengers sent to Liverpool.
On January 7 a machinery failure disabled the Abbotsford while easterly bound and she was taken in tow by the SS Pennsylvania. A slight collision occurred in towing.
On July 21, 1875 the Abbotsford hit the shoreline on the way from Queenstown, Ireland to Liverpool in Cummons Bay, Anglesey off Wales. Passengers were landed within 30 minutes and lodged at Amlwch.
On July 23, 1875, the Abbotsford struck a rock, penetrating the hull. She eventually the sank and was replaced in service by the SS City of Limerick.
References
- "Launch of a Large Iron Steamer". Dundee Courier. Dundee. 31 March 1872. Retrieved 22 November 2015 – via British Newspaper Archive.