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SS Brussels

SS Brussels (Our Generation, 1938).jpg
History
Name:
  • SS Brussels (1902–16)
  • SMS Brugge (1916–21)
  • SS Lady Brussels (1921–29)
Owner:
  • Great Eastern Railway (1902–16)
  • Kaiserliche Marine (1916–18)
  • Belgian Government (1918–20)
  • Admiralty (1920–21)
  • J Gale & Co (1921–29)
Operator:
  • Great Eastern Railway (1902–16)
  • Kaiserliche Marine (1916–18)
  • Dublin & Lancashire Steamship Co (1921–22)
  • British & Irish Steam Packet Co Ltd (1922–29)
Port of registry:
  • United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Harwich (1902–16)
  • German Empire Berlin (1916–18)
  • United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Dublin (1921–23)
  • Republic of Ireland Dublin (1923–29)
Route:
  • Harwich - Antwerp (1902–16)
  • Preston - Dublin (1920–29)
Builder: Gourlay Brothers, Dundee
Yard number: 202
Launched: 26 March 1902
Completed: May 1902
In service: May 1902
Out of service: 1918–20
Identification: UK Official Number 109884 (1902–16, 1921–29)
Fate: Scrapped 1929
General characteristics
Tonnage: 1,380 GRT
Length: 285 ft (86.87 m)
Beam: 34 ft (10.36 m)
Depth: 15 ft 6 in (4.72 m)
Installed power: Two triple expansion steam engines
Propulsion: Twin screws
Speed: 16.5 knots (30.6 km/h)

Brussels was a passenger ferry built in 1902 for the British Great Eastern Railway. In 1915, she tried to ram U-33. The ship was captured by Germany in 1916 and her captain, Charles Fryatt was executed after the Germans discovered his deed. Brussels was renamed Brugge and used as a depôt ship at Zeebrugge.

In October 1918, Brugge was scuttled by the Germans when they evacuated the port. The ship was raised by the Belgian government and presented to the Admiralty in 1920. She was repaired and later renamed Lady Brussels. She was employed as an Irish Sea ferry, serving until scrapped in 1929.

Brussels was a 1,380 GRT passenger ferry. She was built by Gourlay Brothers, Dundee, as yard number 202. She was 285 feet (86.87 m) long, with a beam of 34 feet (10.36 m) and a depth of 15 feet 6 inches (4.72 m). Her two triple expansion steam engines gave a service speed of 16.5 knots (30.6 km/h).

Brussels was launched on 26 March 1902 and completed in May. Her Official Number was 109884 and her port of registry was Harwich.

Brussels was used on the Harwich - Hook of Holland route. During the First World War, her captain, Fryatt, was twice recognised for his actions. On 3 March 1915, he evaded a German U-boat for which he was awarded a gold watch by the Great Eastern Railway. On 28 March 1915, Brussels was ordered to stop by U-33 when she was near the Maas Lightship, but Fryatt attempted to ram the U-boat, which was forced to crash dive. For this action, the Admiralty awarded him a gold watch. The First Officer and Chief Engineer also received gold watches from the Admiralty for this action.


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