RMS Britannia

RMS Britannia at harbour.
History
United Kingdom
NameRMS Britannia
NamesakeBritannia
OwnerBritish and North American Royal Mail Steam Packet Company
BuilderRobert Duncan & Company, Greenock, Scotland
Launched5 February 1840
Maiden voyage4 July 1840
Out of serviceSold to the Reichsflotte in March 1849
German Empire Navy War EnsignGerman Confederation
NameSMS Barbarossa
AcquiredMarch 1849
Out of serviceTransferred to the Prussian Navy in June 1852
Prussian War EnsignPrussia
NameSMS Barbarossa
AcquiredJune 1852
FateSunk as a target ship in July 1880
General characteristics
Class and typeBritannia-class steamship
Tons burthen1,154
Length207 ft (63 m)
Beam34 ft (10 m)
Draught16.8 ft (5.1 m)
Propulsion
  • Paddle wheels
  • Two-cylinder side-lever engine
  • 740 ihp
  • Three masts
Speed8.5 knots (15.7 km/h)
Range640 tons coal
Capacity115 passengers
Crew82

RMS Britannia was an ocean liner of the British and North American Royal Mail Steam Packet Company, later known as Cunard Steamship Company. She was launched on Wednesday 5 February 1840,[1] at the yard of Robert Duncan & Company in Greenock, Scotland. The ship and her Britannia-class sisters, Acadia, Caledonia, and Columbia, were the first ocean liners built by the company.