RMS Magdalena 1889
| History | |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom | |
| Name: | Magdalena |
| Namesake: | Magdalena River in Colombia |
| Owner: |
 RMSP Co
|
| Operator: |
 Royal Navy (1915–20) |
| Port of registry: |
|
| Route: | Southampton – Brazil – Uruguay – Argentina (1889–1905); Southampton – Caribbean (1905–15) |
| Builder: | Robert Napier and Sons, Govan |
| Yard number: | 417 |
| Completed: | June 1889 |
| Maiden voyage: | 2 August 1889 |
| Fate: | Scrapped 1921 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type: |
|
| Tonnage: | 5,373 GRT |
| Length: | 421.3 feet (128.4 m) p/p |
| Beam: | 49.9 ft (15.2 m) |
| Propulsion: | 1 × 3-cylinder triple expansion steam engine; single screw |
| Sail plan: | 3-masted schooner |
| Speed: | 17 knots (31 km/h) maximum |
| Capacity: | 540 passengers |
| Notes: | |
RMS Magdalena was a UK steamship that was built in 1889 as a Royal Mail Ship and ocean liner for the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company. In the First World War she served as the troop ship HMT Magdalena. After a long and successful civilian and military career she was scrapped in 1923.
In the 1880s RMSP introduced a series of larger new ships to improve its scheduled services between Southampton, South America and the Caribbean. The first was the 4,572 GRT Orinoco, built by Caird and Company and launched in 1886. She was RMSP's first new ship to have a hull of steel rather than iron. After her success RMSP ordered two more ships to an improved and enlarged version of the design from Robert Napier and Sons of Govan. Atrato was launched in 1888, followed by Magdalena launched in 1889. Before these were completed RMSP ordered two more from Napier: the slightly larger Thames in 1889 and Clyde launched in 1890.
Orinoco had only a small amount of deck housing and was the last square-rigged sail-steamer to be built for RMSP. The Napier ships were more modern, each with a full superstructure deck and rigged as a three-masted schooner. The smaller sail plan was based on the increasing economy and reliability of their engines.
Magdalena had a three-cylinder triple expansion steam engine that drove a single screw, giving her a top speed of 17 knots (31 km/h).
...
Wikipedia