SS Calgaric (eng)
Statistics
Gross Tonnage - 16,063 tons
Dimensions - 167.74 x 20.52m (550.3 x 67.3ft)
Number of funnels - 1
Number of masts - 2
Construction - Steel
Propulsion - Triple screw
Engines - Two four-cylindered triple expansion engines and one low pressure turbine Service speed - 16 knots
Builder - Harland & Wolff
Launch date - January 1918
Passenger accommodation - 190 1st class, 220 2nd class, 480 3rd class
Details of Career
The Calgaric was originally laid down in 1914 but the outbreak of World War I meant that any further work was suspended until 1916. The ship was launched in January 1918 as the Orca for the Pacific Steam Navigation Company but had not been completed to specifications and was used solely as a cargo vessel. After later returning to Harland & Wolff it was completed to original specifications on 18 February 1921 and arrived at Southampton the following December. Still bearing the name Orca the ship was transferred within the Royal Mail Group and began sailing on the Southampton-Hamburg-Southampton-New York route in 1923.
It was not until January 1927 that the ship was transferred to the White Star Line and renamed the Calgaric. It made its maiden voyage for the company on 4 May from Liverpool to Quebec and Montreal. Later in the its career it was also frequently used for cruising. In April 1929 it transferred to the London-Canada route. By September 1930, however, it was laid up at Milford Haven as a reserve vessel. In 1931 it operated a Summer service to Montreal and made a cruise to the Baltic with 650 Boy Scouts led by the Chief Scout Lord Baden-Powell. After this it was again laid up at Milford Haven.
In June 1933 it resumed the Summer service between Liverpool and Montreal but by September it was again laid up. In 1934 the ship transferred into the ownership of the newly formed Cunard- White Star Company. It was soon decided that the ship was surplus to requirements. It was sold in December and left Milford Haven later that month. It lay at Inverkeithing until 1936 when it was broken up.