H.M.T. Olympic
1918
(Carlo Marquardt CMP-39)
- Type: Troop transport
- Displacement: 46,439 tons
- Dimensions: 882 x 92 x 34 ft
- Machinery: Steam triple expansion engine, triple screws = 21 knots
- Passengers:
- Builder: Harland & Wolff, Ltd, Belfast, Ireland, 1911
- Service: Built for White Star Line Southampton-New York service. Laid down 16 Dec 1908; launched 20 Oct 1910. Maiden voyage 14 Jun 1911. On 20 Sep she collied with HMS Hawke in the Solent. In 1912-13 she was returned to builders for safety refit after the loss of the Titanic. Shown here afterward with added lifeboats. Largest liner in the world until 1913. In Oct 1914 she attempted unsuccessfully to tow the mined battleship HMS Audacious. Served as a troopship from 1915; on 12 May 1918 she rammed and sank German submarine U-103 near the Lizard. Postwar refit converted her to oil fuel; resumed transatlantic service 25 Jun 1920 Southampton-New York. On 24 Mar 1924 while leaving New York she collided with Furness-Bermuda Line's Fort St. George. On 16 May 1934 she rammed and sank the Nantucket Lightship in fog, causing the loss of eight lives. Transferred to Cunard-White Star Ltd, 1934, following the merger of the two companies. Last voyage 27 Mar 1935 then laid up at Southampton. Scheduled for scrapping at Jarrow, England to relieve unemployment; last remains broken up in Scotland, 1937.
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