SS Traffic (1872)
SS Traffic was a baggage tender of the White Star Line, built in 1872 by Philip Speakman in Runcorn and made of English Oak. She was outfitted with machinery at the Old Quay Dock by Mr. W. P. Gaulton, an engineer from Manchester. She was based at the Port of Liverpool, and maintained a 24-year career with White Star. Traffic briefly served as a cargo vessel, but soon returned to tendering service.
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| History | |
|---|---|
 United Kingdom | |
| Name: | SS Traffic |
| Owner: |
|
| Operator: | White Star Line (1872–1896) |
| Builder: | Philip Speakman, Runcorn |
| Yard number: | Belvedere Yard |
| Launched: | 25 September 1872 |
| Out of service: | 1955 |
| Fate: | Scrapped 1955 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type: | Ship's tender |
| Tonnage: | 155 |
| Length: | 101.8 ft (31.02 m) |
| Beam: | 28.6 ft (8.72 m) |
| Depth: | 9 ft 6 inc (2.9 m) |
| Installed power: | 40 hp |
| Propulsion: | Steam engine by W P Gaulton of Manchester, Single Screw |
| Speed: | 8 knots |
| Notes: | Smallest White Star Line Ship |
In 1896, traffic was sold to the Liverpool Lighterage Co., where she served for fifty-nine years in reliable service. On 5th May 1941 she was sunk in Liverpool docks by German aircraft during the 'May Blitz'. She was later raised and returned to service, she was broken up at Tranmere in 1955, at an age of eighty-two years. Traffic is perhaps the earliest (if not one of the earliest) examples of a ship's tender, having been built in the 1870s. She was also possibly the only baggage tender used by the White Star Line until the company's SS Pontic entered service in 1894.
See also
References
- The Cheshire Observer, Saturday, September 28, 1872
- The Cheshire Observer, Saturday, September 28, 1872