Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse
1897
(Carlo Marquardt CM-141)
- Type: Passenger
- Displacement: 14,349 grt
- Dimensions: 655 x 66 ft.
- Machinery: Two 4-cylinder steam triple expansion, 31,000 ihp, twin screws = 22 knots
- Passengers: 1970 (558 first class, 338 second class, 1074 steerage)
- Crew: 488
- Builder: Vulkan Shipyards, Stettin, Germany
- Launched: 4 May 1897, Yard No.234
- Service: Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse built for North German Lloyd Line; named for grandfather of the reigning Wilhelm II. Bremen-New York service. Largest ship in the world until 1899 and the first four-stacker, she can be considered the first of the superliners. Maiden voyage Bremerhaven-Southampton-New York 19 Sep 1897. Captured Blue Riband with record easterly voyage Nov 1897 at 22.27 knots and had fastest westerly crossing Apr 1898 at 22.29 knots. In Jun 1900 she narrowly escaped the worst fire in the history of New York harbor when the Norddeutscher Lloyd piers in Hoboken burned and three other vessels were seriously damaged. Rammed by British steamer Orinoco off Cherbourg 1906; 8 dead. Refit as emigrant ship 1913-14 at 13,952 grt with capacity for 630 third class, 1500 steerage passengers. Taken over by Imperial Navy as auxiliary cruiser 2 Aug 1914. Engaged by British cruiser Highflyer off Spanish West Africa 26 Aug 1914 and scuttled after exhausting her ammunition.
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