RMS Oceanic (1899) Maritime History and Salvage

The RMS Oceanic (1899) was a significant ship in maritime history, and its story is still fascinating today. The ship was built for the Atlantic Transport Line and was designed to be a fast and efficient passenger liner.

Its maiden voyage took place in 1899, and it quickly gained a reputation for being a reliable and comfortable mode of transportation. The Oceanic was known for its luxurious accommodations and amenities, which were a major draw for passengers at the time.

The ship's impressive size was a notable feature, with a gross tonnage of 12,357 tons. This made it one of the largest ships of its era, capable of carrying a large number of passengers and cargo.

The RMS Oceanic's design and construction were truly remarkable feats of engineering. The ship was built at Harland and Wolff's Queen's Island yard in Belfast, a tradition shared with other White Star Line ships.

A new 500-ton overhead gantry crane was constructed to lift the massive materials needed for the ship's construction, a testament to the innovative spirit of the time. This massive crane was a game-changer for the yard.

The ship's bridge was a sleek and modern design, integrated with the superstructure to give it a clean and fluid look. This design feature would later be omitted from subsequent White Star ships.

The RMS Oceanic 1899 was a massive ship, built to be the largest in the world until 1901.

She was constructed at Harland and Wolff’s Queen’s Island yard at Belfast, which required a new 500 ton overhead gantry crane to lift the necessary materials.

The ship's engines were powered by two four-cylinder triple expansion engines, which produced 28,000 ihp and were the largest of their type in the world at the time.

The ship's design featured a clean, fluid look, with its bridge integrated into the superstructure.

To accommodate its large size, the ship was built to accommodate 1,000 third-class, 300 second-class, and 410 first-class passengers, plus 349 crew.

The ship's interior was lavishly decorated, with Richard Norman Shaw as the consultant for the design of the first-class sections.

The SS Oceanic model is a remarkable example of the attention to detail and craftsmanship of the time. It's a scale 1:64 model of the Royal Mail Steamer, built by Harland and Wolff Limited in 1899.

The model is an impressive representation of the ship's size, measuring 704 feet in length. That's a significant feat, especially considering the era's technology.

The Oceanic was a massive ship, costing almost £1 million in the money of the time, which is a staggering amount. Its length was a notable achievement, surpassing that of Brunel's Great Eastern.

Built for the Oceanic Steam Navigation Company Limited, the Oceanic was designed to be a symbol of national prowess, reflecting the era's emphasis on grandeur and luxury.

The RMS Oceanic was a massive ship in its time, built in 1899 for the White Star Line. It was the largest ship in the world until 1901, a testament to the engineering prowess of its creators.

The Oceanic was designed for transatlantic travel, specifically for the route between Liverpool/Southampton and New York. It made its maiden voyage on September 6, 1899, marking the beginning of its illustrious career.

The Oceanic's service was cut short during World War I, when it was converted into an armed merchant cruiser. It was commissioned into Royal Navy service on August 8, 1914, and began patrolling the waters between the North Scottish mainland and the Faroe Islands.

The salvage of the Oceanic and other German warships is a fascinating story. In 1924, a salvage company attempted to salvage what remained of the wreck, but they were unsuccessful.

The company tried again in 1973, this time recovering over 200 tonnes of non-ferrous metal from the wreck. Simon Martin and Alec Crawford were the ones who made this recovery possible.

In 1924, the salvage company cut what remained of the wreck of Oceanic down to water level and salvaged it. This was a significant step in the process of recovering the ship's materials.

The last remains of the strong hull were completely removed in 1979, after 65 years of being submerged. This marked the end of the salvage efforts for the Oceanic wreck.

The Oceanic, a majestic vessel built in 1899 for the White Star Line, was the largest ship in the world until 1901.

She was a transatlantic ocean liner that sailed on her maiden voyage on September 6, 1899, from Liverpool/Southampton to New York.

The Oceanic was a marvel of its time, with 26,000 horsepower from two sets of triple-expansion steam engines, allowing it to perform 20-knot crossings.

She was built to Admiralty specifications to allow conversion for naval duties in wartime, a testament to its versatility.

The Oceanic was the last great British transatlantic liner of the nineteenth century, costing almost £1 million in the money of the time.

It was 704 feet long, making it the first ship launched in over forty years to exceed the length of Brunel's Great Eastern.

The Oceanic carried 1000 third-class passengers every fortnight, making it a crucial vessel for immigration between Europe and America.

She was the flagship of the Oceanic and White Star Lines until the advent of the Olympic and Titanic in 1911 and 1912.

The Oceanic's story came to an end in 1914, when it was lost by stranding while under naval command.