SS Oslo (1906)

For other ships with the same name, see SS Oslo.
History
Name: Oslo
Owner: Wilson Thos., Sons & Co. Ltd. - Wilson Line Of Hull - Wilson C.H.
Operator: Wilson Line
Port of registry: United Kingdom Hull, United Kingdom
Route: Christiania Route
Builder: Earle‘s Shipbuilding & Engineering Co.
Yard number: 515
Launched: 9 April 1906
Completed: 19 May 1906
Maiden voyage: 25 May 1906
In service: 25 May 1906
Out of service: 21 August 1917
Identification: 123251
Fate: Torpedoed and sunk
General characteristics
Type: Passenger ship
Tonnage: 2,296 GRT
Length: 88.4 metres (290 ft 0 in)
Beam: 11.9 metres (39 ft 1 in)
Depth: 7.7 metres (25 ft 3 in)
Decks: 2
Installed power: Triple expansion steam engine
Propulsion: Screw propeller
Speed: 13 knots
Capacity:
  • 598 Passengers
  • 62 First Class
  • 36 Second Class
  • 90 Third Class
  • 410 Steerage
Crew: 183

SS Oslo was a British passenger ship that was torpedoed by the German submarine SM U-87 in the North Sea 15 nautical miles (28 km) east by north of the Out Skerries, Shetland islands. While she was travelling from Trondheim, Norway to Liverpool, United Kingdom while carrying passengers, crew and a cargo of copper ore.

Construction and maiden voyage

SS Oslo was constructed in 1906 with yard no. 515 at the Earle‘s Shipbuilding & Engineering Co. shipyard in Hull, United Kingdom. She was launched on 9 April 1906 and finally completed on 19 May 1906. She departed on her maiden voyage on the Kristiania (Oslo) - Kristiansand - Hull service on 25 May 1906. Norwegian newspapers wrote many articles about her maiden voyage as well as about the ship's interior.

Ship characteristics

Oslo's Tonnage was 2,296 GRT, 2,035 GRT under deck and 1.427 net. The ship was 88.4 metres (290 ft 0 in) long, with a beam of 11.9 metres (39 ft 1 in) and a depth of 7.7 metres (25 ft 3 in), and a forecastle of 10.9 metres (35 ft 9 in) long. She had one funnel, two masts, steel construction and a single screw, 2 decks, water ballast, and was fitted with electric light.

The ship was propelled by a triple expansion engine 3 cylinders of 0.55 metres (1 ft 10 in), 0.9 metres (2 ft 11 in) & 1.52 metres (5 ft 0 in) diameter. On sea trials on 12 May 1906, she achieved a speed of 13½ miles (13 knots). Respectively; stroke 1.06 metres (3 ft 6 in). The engine was rated at 233 nhp, it was built by the same company as the hull.

There was accommodation for 95 1st class, 32 2nd class and 90 3rd class passengers in permanent accommodation, with provision for about 410 other steerage in temporary berths. The master that was appointed to the ship in 1906 was Captain George Pepper.[1]

Passenger accommodation

The ship was equipped with all the modern remedies. The first class passengers had a dining salon, a library, a ladies saloon and a smoking saloon. They were located amidships. The saloon was constructed in a light English oak, without any paint and gold. Instead of curtains, the windows where decorated with sash stained glass-paintings with Norwegian prospects. [1]

The 2nd class was specially comfortable equipped, with cabins on the lower deck, equipped with a toilet and a bathroom. In 3rd class there were 15 cabins with accommodation for 90 passengers, and on the steerage there is accommodation for 410 passengers. The rooms were well-equipped, bright and well ventilated. The ship was equipped with modern installations as a device which controls the electric lanterns, which can not go out without setting off an alarm which will notify the duty officer. The ship was mastered by Captain Pepper since 1906, who before was the master of the Christiania route ship Montebello.

Captain George Pepper and the ship's name

Captain George Pepper was earlier the captain of the Christiania route vessel Montebello, and had been employed on Wilson Line steamers in Norwegian waters for 34 years, as he started out as 3rd mate on Albion in 1872. Later he became the captain of Tasso, Hero and Montebello, and had crossed the North Sea a total of 1611 times.[1]

SS Oslo got her name after Captain Pepper had asked the secretary of the British legation in Oslo, Mr. Leech to ask Queen Maud of Norway, if she would decide the ship's name. Queen Maud decided that the ship should be called Oslo.

Routes

The ship was built specially for the Christiania route. But from 1911 onward SS Oslo was also engaged on other Norwegian routes, and was seen several times on the Trondheim - Hull service. The last departure that SS Oslo made from Christiania was on 20 March 1915.[1]

Earlier Incident and sinking

SS Oslo survived one attack in October 1915 by outrunning her assailant and making it safely to her destination.

On 21 August 1917, Oslo was en route from Trondheim, Norway to Liverpool, United Kingdom while carrying passengers, crew and a cargo of copper ore. Oslo was struck by a torpedo from SM U-87 in the North Sea, 15 nautical miles (28 km) east by north of the Out Skerries, Shetland Islands. The ship sank to a depth of over 88 metres (289 ft), along with her cargo, one passenger and two firemen. It is unknown how many survived the sinking.[2]

Wreck

The wreck sits 88 metres (289 ft) deep. The current position of the wreck is unknown.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "SS Oslo (+1917)". wrecksite.eu. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
  2. ↑ "S/S Oslo, Wilson Line". Norway Heritage. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
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