Oceanic

Relationship to Titanic disaster / inquiries:

Not only was Oceanic operated by the same company that operated Titanic, she was also directly associated with Titanic at the beginning of her maiden voyage as well as during the first weeks following the disaster.

10 April 1912 Minutes after Titanic departed Berth 44 Ocean Dock, she passed Berth 38 where New York and Oceanic were moored in tandem. (Oceanic inboard). The suction of Titanic's propellers and passing bulk caused the two liners to part their mooring hawsers and draw toward Titanic.Only quick thinking by a tugboat captain and Titanic's pilot averted a collision.

13 May 1912 During a westbound crossing, Southampton to New York, at 47 degrees 01' N by 30 degrees 56' W recovered Titanic's Collapsible A which contained three bodies : First Class passenger Thomson Beattie and two unidentified crewman. The bodies were buried at sea; the collapsible boat was carried on Oceanic's deck to New York where on her arrival 16 May, it was placed with Titanic' s other boats in storage at Pier 59.

18 May 1912 On her eastbound crossing, New York - Plymouth - Cherbourg - Southampton, Oceanic carried Michel and Edmond Navratil, young Titanic survivors and their mother, Mme. Marcelle Navratil, who had come to take them home to France.

Data:

January 14, 1899 - Launched, largest liner in the world

September 6, 1899 - Maiden Voyage Liverpool to New York and return

August 23, 1905 - While at Southampton, fire in compartment #4

October, 1905 - Liverpool: 33 firemen arrested for mutiny

January 3, 1907 - At New York, fire in #7 hold

June 19, 1907 - First voyage Southampton to New York

August 14, 1914 - Commissioned as an armed merchant cruiser and assigned to the 10th Cruiser Squadron

September 8, 1914 - Ran aground on Foula Island, Shetlands. No loss of life. Armament and naval fittings recovered, hull unsalvageable.

Courtesy: John P. Eaton. Used with permission.