MV Georgic (1931)
| The RMS Georgic at sea RMS Georgic
| |
| History | |
|---|---|
| Name | RMS Georgic |
| Operator | White Star Line |
| Route | Liverpool - New York |
| Completed | 1931 |
| Maiden voyage | 25 June 1932 |
| In service | 1932-1956 |
| Out of service | 1956 |
| Fate | Scrapped, salvaged by Shipbreaking Industries Ltd |
| Status | Salvaged |
| General characteristics of the RMS Georgic | |
| Tonnage | 27,759 gross tons |
| Length | 711 ft |
| Propulsion | twin screw, electric motors powered by diesel powerplant |
| Speed | 19 knots |
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Built at Harland and Wolff shipyard in Belfast, the RMS Georgic was the last ship built for the White Star Line before its merger with the Cunard Line. She was the sister ship of the Britannic. Like Britannic, Georgic was a motorship, and not a steamer, fitted with a diesel powerplant.
Construction
She was built for the Liverpool-New York route. She was launched in 1931, and, after fitting out sailed her maiden voyage on 25 June 1932. In 1933, she replaced the aging RMS Olympic on the Southampton-New York route. Her design was very similar to that of her sister ship, with the sleek profile and the two squatted smokestacks. She was powered by a diesel powerplant which in turn powered electric motors, which turned the propellers. She hit a top speed of 19 knots on speed trials. At 711 ft long, and a volume of 27,759 gross tons, she wasn't the greatest liner of her time, but she assisted in keeping the White Star Line afloat during the great depression.
Early Career
In January 1933 the Georgic began to sail the Southampton to New York route. This was mainly in order to replace the larger RMS Olympic during her major overhaul. On 10th May 1934 the ship became part of the fleet of the newly amalgamated Cunard-White Star Line and Georgic joined the Britannic on the London, Southampton, New York route. This made the ship the largest to use the River Thames. In August 1939 the Georgic returned to the Liverpool to New York route and made five round trips before being requisitioned for trooping duties in the conflicts of World War II[1].
Wartime Career
After the outbreak of World War II, the Georgic was requisitioned by the Admiralty for troopship duties. On 7 July 1941, the Georgic was docked at the Port Tewfik. German aircraft were sweeping the skies in that area and spotted the Georgic, which they proceeded to attack, resulting in two bombs being dropped, with one striking Georgic's stern. A large fire ensued, spreading to the ship's dummy funnel which was holding ammunition. This ammunition exploded, seriously damaging the stern area of the vessel. The order was given to abandon ship, with Georgic now sinking by the stern. The ship settled at the bottom of the shallow water and was left to burn out. [2]
On 14 September, the burnt out hulk was assessed and during October it was raised for refurbishment.[3]
Refurbishment
In the next month Georgic was raised and temporary plugging of the hull was finished. She was then towed stern first to Port Sudan where she was completely repaired and made seaworthy. After a year she arrived in Bombay where hull-repairs were complete. In January, 1943 she left Bombay for Belfast where Harland and Wolff would give her a complete refit. After December, 1944, her exterior was completely redone. The first (front) funnel had been removed and the fore mast had been shortened. She resumed service as a troop transport, and the Georgic resumed war duties between Italy, the Middle East and India until 1948, when she was returned to Cunard-White Star and began the immigrant service between Liverpool, Australia, and New Zealand. She made her final voyage flying the White Star flag in 1954 and, after a brief stint transporting troops home from Japan, was laid up at Kames Bay, Isle of Bute pending disposal. She was scrapped in February 1956 at Faslane.
References
- ^ "Cunard-White Star Line - Ships from 1931". Retrieved 10 January 2008.
- ^ "MV Georgic". Norfolk Section. Retrieved 9 January 2009.
- ^ "MV Georgic". Titanic and Other White Star Line Ships. Retrieved 9 January 2009.