RMS Empress of India (1890)

Empress of India arriving at Vancouver.

RMS Empress of India leaving

RMS Empress of India (1890) was a transatlantic ocean liner built in 1890 for the Canadian Pacific Steamship Company. This ship was part of a fleet that included her sister ships, the RMS Empress of China and RMS Empress of Japan, which were designed to establish a faster commercial link between the Asian and North American continents via the Pacific Ocean. The RMS Empress of India played a significant role in the expansion of trade and the movement of passengers between Canada, China, and Japan during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Construction and Design

The RMS Empress of India was constructed by the naval architects at the Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Company in Govan, Scotland. With a length of 485.5 feet and a beam of 51.2 feet, the ship was designed to be one of the largest and fastest on the Pacific route. She was powered by a triple-expansion steam engine, which allowed her to reach speeds of up to 18 knots, making her one of the fastest ships of her time.

Service History

Upon her completion in 1891, the RMS Empress of India was immediately put into service. Her maiden voyage commenced from Liverpool, England, to the Far East, stopping at various ports including Yokohama, Japan, and Hong Kong, China. The ship was instrumental in facilitating the rapid transportation of mail, cargo, and passengers across the Pacific, significantly reducing the travel time between continents.

Throughout her service, the RMS Empress of India was known for her luxurious accommodations, which catered to the needs of wealthy passengers. Her interiors were lavishly decorated, featuring dining saloons, social rooms, and comfortable staterooms, which set new standards for ocean travel luxury.

Later Years and Fate

After years of successful operation, the RMS Empress of India was eventually sold in 1914 to a Turkish company and renamed SS Subilce. Her service under the new ownership was short-lived, as she was scrapped in 1923, marking the end of her illustrious career.

Legacy

The RMS Empress of India, along with her sister ships, left a lasting legacy in the history of maritime travel. She was a symbol of the technological advancements of her time and played a pivotal role in enhancing the commercial and cultural exchanges between the East and the West. Today, she is remembered as an important part of the Canadian Pacific Steamship Company's history and a significant contributor to the development of transpacific travel.