SS Egypt

SS Egypt was a British passenger liner operated by the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company (P&O). She was built by the Barrow Shipbuilding Company and launched in 1897. The ship was notable for sinking after a collision in the English Channel in 1922, with the loss of 87 lives.

Design and construction

The SS Egypt was a 7,903 gross ton ship, 485.6 feet (148.0 m) long, with a beam of 52.3 feet (15.9 m) and a depth of 34.8 feet (10.6 m). She was powered by two triple-expansion steam engines, which drove two screw propellers, and could reach a top speed of 18 knots (33 km/h; 21 mph).

Service history

The SS Egypt was used on the London to Bombay service, and later on the London to Sydney service. During World War I, she was requisitioned by the Royal Navy and used as an armed merchant cruiser.

Sinking

On 20 May 1922, while travelling from London to Bombay, the SS Egypt collided with the French steamship Seine in thick fog in the English Channel. The Egypt sank quickly, with the loss of 87 lives. The Seine was able to rescue some survivors.

Aftermath and salvage

The wreck of the SS Egypt was located in 1930, and a salvage operation was launched by the Italian company Società Ricuperi Marittimi. Over the next five years, the salvagers recovered a large amount of gold and silver bullion that had been in the ship's cargo.

See also

• List of shipwrecks in the English Channel
• List of ocean liners