SS Arabic (II) (eng)

Statistics

Gross Tonnage - 15,801 tons
Dimensions - 183.08 x 19.96m (600.7 x 65.5ft)
Number of funnels - 1
Number of masts - 4
Construction - Steel
Propulsion - Twin screw
Engines - Two four-cylindered quadruple expansion engines
Service speed - 16 knots
Builder - Harland & Wolff, Belfast
Launch date - 18 December 1902
Passenger accommodation - 200 1st class, 200 2nd class, 1,000 3rd class

Details of Career

The ship was laid down as the Minnewaska for the Atlantic Transport Line but was taken over by the International Mercantile Marine Corporation during construction. The ship was then transferred to White Star, modified and renamed the Arabic. It was launched on 18 December 1902 and made its maiden voyage, from Liverpool to New York, on 26 June 1903. This service was maintained until 14 April 1905 when it transferred to the Liverpool-Boston route. It then returned to its old service in June 1907.

In 1913 the first class accommodation was discontinued and extra lifeboats were added. On 23 December 1914 it replaced larger vessels, such as the Cedric and Cretic, on the Liverpool-New York service, as they had been requisitioned for Government service. On 19 August 1915 it was torpedoed on the way to New York by U-24, 50 miles off the Old Head of Kinsale. Of the 200 passengers on board 44 were lost.