Californian

Frederick Leyland & Company, Ltd. (Leyland Line)

Length:	447.6 ft.
Breadth:	53.8 ft.
Draft (or depth):	30.5 ft.
Tonnage:	6,223 tons (gross), 5,854 (underdeck), 4,038 (net)
Engines:	Triple expansion, 3 cyl. 26", 43.5", 74" x 60" stroke
Speed:	12 knots
Builder:	Caledonian Shipbuilding & Engineering Co., Ltd., Dundee, Scotland (Yard No. 159)
Launched:	1901
Maiden Voyage:
Disposition:	November 9, 1915 (Topedoed off Cape Matapan, Greece)
Particulars:	Port of Registry: Liverpool Flag of Registry: British Funnel color: Pink, black top Company flag: Red Signal Letters: T F L N Wireless call letters: M W L Steel hull, one funnel, four masts, single screw, three decks, steel, electric lights, wireless

Relationship to Titanic disaster / inquiries.

April 5, 1912 - Departed London on westbound transit to Boston (arrived April 19).

April 14-15 - During the night was stopped in ice. After stopping at 10:21 p.m., her position by dead reckoning was 41.05N., 50.07 W., based on a polar star fix taken by her chief officer at 7:30 p.m.

There was a ship seen near Titanic, when she sank at 2:20 a.m., April 15, at a position transmitted by her own wireless as 41.46N., 50.14W. (The actual sinking site, determined on September 1, 1985, is 41.43N., 49.56W.) The lights of this vessel were seen at a distance by serveral officers and men aboard Titanic during the hours of her sinking.

Lord Mersey, during the British Inquiry, found that it was the Californian. He stated, "She could have reached Titanic if she made the attempt. She made no attempt."

Data:

1901 - Launched for the Leyland Line.

January 23, 1902 - Trials.

April 1902 - Chartered by the Dominion Line. First voyage Liverpool to Portland, Maine.

May 15, 1902 - Concluding trip from Portland, Maine, collided with pier head while entering dock at Liverpool; several plates damaged.

December, 1902 - After five round-trip voyages: Last voyage for the Dominion Line.

January, 1903 - Reverted to Leyland Line.

December 12, 1903 - Grounded while leaving New Orleans for London and Antwerp. After being pulled off by tug and two day delay, proceeded on voyage.

April 1907 - Lost propeller blade en route to Galveston from Cardiff. Vessel trimmed by stern at Galveston, exposing propeller for repairs. Proceeded on voyage.

November 9, 1915 - Off Cape Matapan, Greece, 36.23N., 22.29E.: Topedoed and sunk by German submarine.

Courtesy: John P. Eaton. Used with permission.