MV Britannic (1929)

MV Britannic seen during sea trials.
History
United Kingdom
NameMV Britannic
Operator
Port of registryLiverpool
Route
Ordered1927
BuilderHarland and Wolff, Belfast
Yard number807
Laid down14 April 1927
Launched6 August 1929
Completed1930
Maiden voyage28 June 1930
In service1930
Out of service4 December 1960
Refit1947-48
Identification
FateScrapped 1961
General characteristics
TypeOcean liner
Tonnage
  • As built: 26,943 GRT, 16,445 NRT
  • Post 1947 re-fit: 27,666 GRT, 15,811 NRT[1]
Length683.6 ft (208.4 m)
Beam82.4 ft (25.1 m)
Draught30 ft (9.1 m)
Depth48.6 ft (14.8 m)
Installed power20,000 NHP
Propulsion
Speed19.5 knots (36.1 km/h; 22.4 mph)
Range6,500 nautical miles (12,000 km; 7,500 mi)
Capacity
  • As built:
  • 504 cabin class
  • 551 tourist class
  • 498 third class
  • 1947 re-fit:
  • 429 first class
  • 564 tourist class[1]
  • cargo:
  • 2 × refrigerated cargo holds, 72,440 cu ft (2,051 m3)
  • 6 × non-refrigerated holds
Sensors and
processing systems
Armament
NotesRunning mate: Georgic

MV Britannic was a British transatlantic ocean liner that was launched in 1929 and scrapped in 1961. She was the penultimate ship built for White Star Line before its 1934 merger with Cunard Line. When built, Britannic was the largest motor ship in the UK Merchant Navy. Her running mate ship was the MV Georgic.

In 1934 White Star merged with Cunard Line; however, both Britannic and Georgic retained their White Star Line colours and flew the house flags of both companies.

From 1935 the pair served London, and at the time they were the largest ships to do so. From early in her career Britannic operated on cruises as well as scheduled transatlantic services. Diesel propulsion, economical speeds and modern "cabin ship" passenger facilities enabled Britannic and Georgic to make a profit throughout the 1930s, when many other liners were unable to do so.

In the Second World War Britannic served as a troop ship and emerged from the conflict unscathed. In 1947 she was overhauled, re-fitted, modernised and returned to civilian service. She outlived her sister Georgic and became the last White Star liner still in commercial service. Britannic was scrapped in 1961 after three decades of service.

She was the last of three White Star Line ships called Britannic. The first Britannic was a steamship launched in 1874 and scrapped in 1903. The second was launched in 1914, completed as the hospital ship HMHS Britannic and sunk by a mine in 1916.

  1. ^ a b "The BRITANNIC and the GEORGIC were the last liners built for the White Star Line and were merged with the Cunard Line in 1934".