Imperator
1913
(Classic Ship Collection CSC-001VR)
- Type: Passenger
- Displacement: 52,117 tons
- Dimensions: 919 x 98 x 35 ft.
- Machinery: Steam turbines, quadruple screws, 74,000 shp = 23 knots
- Passengers: 4,594 (908 1st class, 972 2nd class, 942 3rd class, 1,772 steerage)
- Crew: 1,180
- Builder: Bremer-Vulkan Shipyards, Hamburg, Germany, 1913
- Service: Built for Hamburg-America Line. Intended name Europa, but christened Imperator. Largest ship afloat, 1913-14. Maiden voyage 10 Jun 1913 Cuxhaven-New York. Alterations in Nov to improve stability, including shortening funnels by nine feet. Remained in Germany throughout the First World War. Taken by the United States as reparations, 1919, and used briefly as transport; ceded to Britain a year later. Resumed sailing as Imperator, but under British flag. Sold to Cunard Line, 1921 and renamed Berengaria. Refitted by Armstrong, Whitworth & Co at Newcastle until May 1922 at 52,226 tons, oil-fired, with accommodation for 972 first class, 630 second class, 606 third class, 515 tourist class. Transferred to Cunard-White Star, 1934. Badly damaged 3 Mar 1938 at New York by a fire in the passenger accommodation. Returned to Southampton without passengers and laid up; scrapping began a year later. Final remains broken up at Rosyth, 1946.
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