
RMS Cedric Trans-Atlantic Passenger Service was a game-changer in the early 20th century. The ship's trans-Atlantic passenger service was launched in 1922.
Cedric's route took it from Liverpool to New York, a journey that typically lasted around 5 days. This was a significant improvement over earlier trans-Atlantic crossings, which could take up to 10 days.
The ship's passenger service was designed to cater to the growing demand for luxury travel. Cedric's accommodations included spacious cabins and a range of amenities, such as a swimming pool, gym, and dining saloons.
Travelers on Cedric's trans-Atlantic service enjoyed a high level of comfort and service, making the journey a pleasant experience.
Ship Details
The RMS Cedric was a massive ship, measuring 700 ft overall and 680.9 ft registered in length.
Her beam was 75.3 ft and her depth was 44.1 ft.
Cedric had two chamois-colored funnels with a black cuff, and a hull that was black with a white superstructure.
The ship's funnels were surrounded by four masts, which only served to support the lookout's nest and the cables of the wireless telegraphy.
Internally, Cedric was filled with luxury amenities, including a lounge, promenade deck, verandah café, and reading and writing lounge.
The ship's dining room was topped with a glass roof, and it was also home to her own orchestra.
Cedric could accommodate 365 first-class, 160 second-class, and 2,350 third-class passengers when completed.
The ship was propelled by two propellers powered by quadruple expansion machines generating a power of 14,000 horsepowers.
She sailed at an average speed of 16 knots, and could reach a maximum speed of 19 knots.
Operations
The RMS Cedric was a grand vessel, part of the White Star Line's fleet of luxury liners. It was one of the "Big Four" ships, along with the MV Britannic, RMS Baltic, and RMS Adriatic, which collectively represented a combined tonnage of approximately 97,000.
These ships were built between 1897 and 1921, with the RMS Cedric likely being constructed during this period. They were known for their high standards of comfort, spaciousness, and speed, and their rivalry with other shipping lines was fierce.
The RMS Cedric offered a range of accommodations, from luxurious First Class staterooms to more modest Third Class options. Third Class passengers had access to a lounge, dining room, and even staterooms with multiple beds, such as the RMS Cedric Room with 4 Beds.
Here's a brief overview of the RMS Cedric's capacity:
Notes
The Cedric was launched on August 22, 1902, as reported by The Times.
The ship was built by Harland and Wolff in Belfast, a fact that can be found in the Mercantile Navy List from 1904.
The Cedric was a steamship, a detail that's confirmed by the fact that it was listed in the Mercantile Navy List.
The ship was part of the White Star Line, one of the most famous shipping companies of its time.
Here's a list of some of the notable events and facts about the Cedric's operations:
- Launched on August 22, 1902
- Part of the White Star Line
- Steamship
- Built by Harland and Wolff in Belfast
- First mentioned in The Times on August 22, 1902
The Cedric was involved in several notable events, including a visit by 'Abdu'l-Bahá in 1912, as documented by Eliane Lacroix-Hopson.
Sailing Schedules
Sailing schedules are typically released 2-3 months in advance, giving passengers plenty of time to plan their trip.
The schedules are usually updated weekly to reflect any changes or cancellations.
Cruisers can check the schedules online or through a mobile app to stay informed about their sailing plans.
The schedules often include details such as departure and arrival times, port stops, and special events on board.
Passengers can also use the schedules to plan their shore excursions and other activities.
Route Maps, Track Charts, Log Summary
The RMS Cedric Passenger List from 1928 includes a Track Chart and Memorandum of Log, which provides a detailed record of the ship's route.
These types of records are essential for maritime historians seeking to understand the evolution of design and fleet data.
The White Star Line Services Brochure from 1907 features Route Maps that showcase the routes taken by the RMS Cedric and RMS Celtic.
If you're tracing voyages and shipping lines, having access to these types of records can be incredibly valuable.
The "Big Four" vessels, including the RMS Cedric, were known for their massive tonnage, with a combined total of approximately 97,000 tons.
Here's a brief overview of the routes taken by these ships:
These Route Maps can also be useful for ship modelers and naval architects looking to recreate the dimensions and layout of these iconic vessels.
Passenger Information
The RMS Cedric was a popular ship with multiple passenger lists available.
The Cedric offered a Tourist Third Cabin option on its 1927-08-13 departure from Liverpool to Boston and New York via Queenstown (Cobh).
Passengers could also travel in Cabin Class on the 1928-03-24 departure from Liverpool to Boston and New York via Cobh.
Captain R. G. Smith commanded the Cedric on several occasions, including the 1927-08-13 and 1928-03-24 departures.
Captain J. Kearney took command of the Cedric for the 1929-06-08 departure from Liverpool to Boston and New York via Queenstown (Cobh).
The Cedric sailed between New York, Boston, and Mediterranean ports from 17 May 1913 to 12 April 1914.
Company and Service
The RMS Cedric had a long and storied history with the company she sailed for. She was requisitioned for war service in 1914 and was converted into an armed merchant cruiser.
During her time in war service, Cedric was decommissioned in 1916 and then converted into a troopship. She operated initially to Egypt and then to the U.S. under the auspices of the Liner Requisition Scheme in 1917.
Cedric was returned to her owner in 1919 and refitted by Harland & Wolff, with a capacity to accommodate 1597 passengers.
White Star Line
The White Star Line was a prominent shipping company that operated during the early 20th century. They built the SS Cedric, a massive steamship with a tonnage of 21,227 and dimensions of 680' x 697' overall length.
The SS Cedric was launched on August 21, 1902, and made its maiden voyage from Liverpool to New York on February 11, 1903. It had a capacity for 365 first-class passengers, 160 second-class passengers, and 2,350 third-class passengers.
The White Star Line was known for its exceptional steamships, with the SS Cedric being one of the largest in the world at the time of its launch. It was built by Harland & Wolff, Ltd. in Belfast, Ireland, and had twin-screw propulsion with a speed of 17 knots.
Here are some key features of the SS Cedric's passenger lists:
- Steamship Line: White Star Line
- Class of Passengers: Tourist Third Cabin, Cabin, American Legion (Cabin)
- Date of Departure: 13 August 1927, 8 October 1927, 24 March 1928, 8 June 1929
- Route: Liverpool to Boston and New York via Queenstown (Cobh), Liverpool to New York via Cherbourg
- Commander: Captain R. G. Smith, Captain J. Kearney (Lt. Cmdr. R.N.R., Retd.)
The SS Cedric served as a troopship during World War I and was eventually scrapped at Inverkeithing in 1932.
Trans-Atlantic Service
Cedric was a reliable ship that plied the Atlantic crossing for 11 years without any major incident.
The ship's service was interrupted in 1912 when the RMS Titanic sank, and Cedric had to wait for the RMS Carpathia to arrive with survivors before departing from New York.

Cedric's last voyage on the Liverpool-New York service started on October 21, 1914, and it was then requisitioned for war service, converted to an armed merchant cruiser, and later to a troopship.
Cedric was involved in a collision with the Canadian Pacific ship Montreal in 1918, but was returned to her owner in 1919 and refitted to accommodate more passengers.
The ship resumed its Liverpool-New York voyages after the refit, and was again altered to cabin, tourist, and third-class accommodations in 1926.
Cedric's final Liverpool-New York sailing commenced on September 5, 1931, and it was sold later that year for £22,150 to Thomas W. Ward.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to the RMS Cedric?
The RMS Cedric was sold and scrapped in 1932, after its final voyage from Liverpool to New York in 1931. It was sold for £22,150 to Thos. W. Ward and dismantled at Inverkeithing.
Sources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RMS_Cedric
- https://www.ggarchives.com/OceanTravel/ImmigrantShips/Cedric.html
- https://www.ggarchives.com/OceanTravel/Passengers/Ships/Cedric-PassengerLists.html
- https://haroldwenttowar.com/2015/07/13/all-aboard-the-rms-cedric/
- https://military-history.fandom.com/wiki/RMS_Cedric
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