History | |
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Owner: | Anchor Line |
Port of registry: | Glasgow United Kingdom |
Builder: | Sandeman & McLaurin |
Launched: | 21 December 1854 |
Fate: | Vanished c. February 1857 |
General characteristics | |
Tonnage: | 866 GRT |
Length: | 214 ft (65 m) |
Beam: | 28 ft (8.5 m) |
Draft: | 19 ft (5.8 m) |
Propulsion: | 150 hp (110 kW) Steam engines |
SS Tempest was the first ship of the Anchor Line belonging to Scottish brothers Nicol and Robert Handyside and Captain Thomas Henderson. The 214-foot (65 m), 866-ton ship was built as a sail-ship by Sandeman & McLaurin of Glasgow and launched on 21 December 1854. On 3 April 1855 Henderson began a maiden voyage from Glasgow to Bombay.
The Anchor Line decided to begin transatlantic service between Glasgow and New York City with Tempest. She was converted to a screw steamship with the fitting, by Randolf and Elder, of 150 horsepower (110 kW) engines in 1856. Her first passage left Glasgow on 11 October 1856; sailing from New York on 19 November, she returned to Glasgow after a 28-day crossing.
Her second journey departed Glasgow 27 December, mastered by Capt James Morris, with cargo and 50 passengers. She arrived in New York on 1 February. She sailed eastward on 13 February 1857 with crew, cargo and one passenger aboard. She vanished without a trace. Her fate remains an unsolved mystery to this day along with the 150 people that were on board.
Two other ships of the Anchor Line disappeared at sea; United Kingdom in 1869 and Ismailia in 1873.
"Tempest (14231)". Clydebuilt Ships Database. Clydesite.
Davis, C. L., Esq. (5 February 2005) [1900]. "Never Heard Of. Mysteries of the Atlantic Ferry". The Ships List.