SS Stella

SS Stella was a passenger steamship that was built in 1890 by the Harland and Wolff shipyard in Belfast, Northern Ireland. She was operated by the London and South Western Railway (LSWR) and was used on the service between Southampton and the Channel Islands. On 30 March 1899, Stella was lost in a collision with another ship, resulting in the deaths of 105 passengers and crew.

Construction and design

The SS Stella was built by Harland and Wolff, a renowned shipbuilding company based in Belfast. She was a twin-screw steamer, powered by two triple-expansion steam engines. The ship was 253 feet long, with a beam of 35 feet and a depth of 14 feet. She was designed to carry up to 712 passengers.

Service

The SS Stella was put into service by the LSWR, a railway company that operated in the south of England. The ship was used on the route between Southampton and the Channel Islands, a group of islands in the English Channel. The service was popular with tourists and business travellers alike.

Sinking

On 30 March 1899, the SS Stella was involved in a collision with another ship. The incident occurred in heavy fog, and despite the efforts of the crew, the ship sank within 10 minutes. Of the 712 passengers and crew on board, 105 lost their lives. The sinking of the SS Stella remains one of the worst maritime disasters in British history.

Aftermath and legacy

The sinking of the SS Stella led to a public outcry and calls for improved safety measures on passenger ships. In response, the Board of Trade launched an inquiry into the disaster. The findings of the inquiry led to significant changes in maritime safety regulations, including the introduction of mandatory lifeboat drills and improved fog signalling systems.

See also

• List of shipwrecks in the English Channel
• Maritime disasters
• History of the London and South Western Railway