&sq=Facebook&lang=en&file=File:The_3rd_Big_Four_liner_Baltic_(II).jpg) RMS Baltic in a June 1904 photograph by Robert Welch
| |
| History | |
|---|---|
 United Kingdom | |
| Namesake | Baltic Sea |
| Owner | White Star Line |
| Operator | White Star Line |
| Port of registry | Liverpool |
| Route | Liverpool to New York City |
| Builder | Harland and Wolff, Belfast, UK |
| Yard number | 352 |
| Launched | 21 November 1903 |
| Completed | 23 June 1904 |
| Maiden voyage | 29 June 1904 |
| In service | 1904–1932 |
| Fate | Scrapped in Osaka, Japan in 1933 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Big-Four class |
| Tonnage | 23,876 GRT, 15,295 NRT |
| Length | 222.2 m (729 ft 0 in) |
| Beam | 23.0 m (75 ft 6 in) |
| Installed power | 14,000–16,000 hp (10,000–12,000 kW) |
| Propulsion | Two four-cylinder Quadruple expansion engines powering two propellers |
| Speed | 18 knots (33 km/h; 21 mph) max |
| Capacity | As built: 2,875 passengers (425 first, 450 second, 2,000 third) |
RMS Baltic was an ocean liner of the White Star Line that sailed between 1904 and 1932. At 23,876 gross register tonnage, she was the world's largest ship until May 1906. She was the third of a quartet of ships, all measuring over 20,000 gross register tons, dubbed The Big Four, the other three being RMS Celtic, RMS Cedric, and RMS Adriatic.
During her civilian career, Baltic served between Liverpool and New York. She was involved in a few minor incidents during her career. She distinguished herself especially in 1909 when she came to the aid of the Republic and the Florida that had collided with each other. The Baltic's rescue of all passengers drew attention to the important role that the new wireless telegraphy technology could play in ensuring safety at sea. In April 1912, the Baltic also picked up distress signals from the Titanic, but was too far away to intervene during the latter's sinking.
During World War I, the Baltic carried troops from 1915 to 1918. She survived a torpedoing attempt and transported the first American troops to Europe, with General John J. Pershing on board. After the war, the ship continued its commercial service during the 1920s. Having become too old, she was finally replaced in 1932 and scrapped the following year, after nearly thirty years of career.