MV Britannic (1929)

MV Britannic seen during sea trials.
History
United Kingdom
Name	MV Britannic
Operator	1930–34: White Star Line 1934–49: Cunard-White Star Line 1950–60: Cunard Line
Port of registry	Liverpool
Route	1930–35: Liverpool – Cobh – New York 1935–39: London – Southampton – New York 1948–60: Liverpool – Cobh – New York
Ordered	1927
Builder	Harland and Wolff, Belfast
Yard number	807
Laid down	14 April 1927
Launched	6 August 1929
Completed	1930
Maiden voyage	28 June 1930
In service	1930
Out of service	4 December 1960
Refit	1947-48
Identification	UK official number 162316 Code letters LGCF Call sign GDXF
Fate	Scrapped 1961
General characteristics
Type	Ocean liner
Tonnage	As built: 26,943 GRT, 16,445 NRT Post 1947 re-fit: 27,666 GRT, 15,811 NRT[1]
Length	683.6 ft (208.4 m)
Beam	82.4 ft (25.1 m)
Draught	30 ft (9.1 m)
Depth	48.6 ft (14.8 m)
Installed power	20,000 NHP
Propulsion	2 × 10-cylinder diesel engines 2 × propellers
Speed	19.5 knots (36.1 km/h; 22.4 mph)
Range	6,500 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	Submarine signalling Wireless direction finding by 1934: Gyrocompass
Armament	(as DEMS): 1 × BL 6-inch Mk XII naval gun 1 × QF 3-inch 20 cwt anti-aircraft gun
Notes	Running 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.