SS Laurentic

SS Laurentic was a British ocean liner of the White Star Line. Built in Belfast, Northern Ireland, by Harland and Wolff, she was launched in 1908 and served as both a passenger liner and a troopship during her career. The ship was notable for her luxurious accommodations and advanced safety features.

Design and Construction

The SS Laurentic was designed by Thomas Andrews, a naval architect who also designed the ill-fated RMS Titanic. The ship was 565 feet long and 67 feet wide, with a gross tonnage of 14,892. She was powered by two quadruple expansion engines, which drove her twin screws at a service speed of 16 knots.

The ship's accommodations were designed to cater to a wide range of passengers. First-class passengers enjoyed spacious staterooms, a grand dining saloon, and a variety of recreational facilities, including a gymnasium and a music room. Second-class and third-class passengers also had comfortable accommodations, with separate dining and social areas.

Service History

The SS Laurentic entered service in 1909, operating on the Liverpool to Montreal route. In 1914, with the outbreak of World War I, she was requisitioned by the British government and converted into an armed merchant cruiser.

In 1917, the SS Laurentic struck two mines off the coast of Ireland and sank. Of the 475 people on board, 354 survived. The ship was carrying a large quantity of gold bullion at the time of her sinking, and many of the gold bars were later recovered in a series of salvage operations.

Legacy

The SS Laurentic is remembered for her luxurious design, her service in World War I, and the dramatic story of her sinking and the subsequent salvage of her gold. She is also notable as one of the few ocean liners of her era to have served as a troopship.