SS Britannic (1874)
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SS Britannic was the first of three ships to sail with the Britannic name. All were part of the White Star Line, famous for the Titanic and other ocean liners.
The Britannic was initially to be called the Hellenic, but, just prior to her launch, her name was changed to the Britannic. Her sister ship was the Germanic. The Britannic sailed for nearly thirty years, primarily carrying immigrant passengers on the highly trafficked Liverpool to New York route. In 1876 she received the Blue Riband, both westbound and eastbound, by averaging almost 16 knots.
On May 19, 1887, at about 5:25 in the afternoon, the White Star liner Celtic collided with Britannic in thick fog about 350 miles east of Sandy Hook, New Jersey. The Celtic, with 870 passengers had been steaming westbound for New York City, while the Britannic, carrying 450 passengers, was on the second day of her eastward journey to Liverpool. The two ships collided at almost right angles, with the Celtic burying her prow 10 feet in the aft port side of Britannic. The Celtic rebounded and hit two more times, before sliding past behind Britannic.
Six steerage passengers were killed outright onboard Britannic, and another six were later found to be missing, having been washed overboard. There were no deaths onboard Celtic. Both ships were badly damaged, but Britannic more so, having a large hole below her waterline. Fearing that she would founder, the passengers onboard began to panic and rushed the lifeboats. Britannic's Captain, pistol in hand, was able to restore some semblence of order, and the boats were filled with women and children, although a few men forced their way onboard. After the lifeboats had launched, it was realized that Britannic would be able to stay afloat, and the lifeboats within hailing distance were recalled. The rest made their way over to the Celtic. The two ships remained together through the night, and the next morning were joined by the Wilson Line's Marengo and the British Queen of the Inman Line, and the four slowly made their way into New York Harbor.
