 Armenian
| |
| History | |
|---|---|
 United Kingdom | |
| Name | Armenian |
| Namesake | Armenians |
| Owner | F Leyland & Co |
| Operator | 1903: White Star Line |
| Port of registry | Liverpool |
| Route | |
| Builder | Harland & Wolff, Belfast |
| Yard number | 292 |
| Launched | 25 July 1895 |
| Completed | 19 September 1895 |
| Maiden voyage | 28 September 1895 |
| Identification |
|
| Fate | Sunk by torpedo, 28 June 1915 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Cargo liner |
| Tonnage | 8,765 GRT, 5,714 NRT |
| Length | 512.5 ft (156.2 m) |
| Beam | 59.2 ft (18.0 m) |
| Depth | 35.0 ft (10.7 m) |
| Decks | 3 |
| Installed power | 718 NHP |
| Propulsion |
|
| Sail plan | four-masted schooner |
| Speed | 13 knots (24 km/h) |
| Crew | 1915: 72 + 96 hostlers |
| Notes | sister ships: Victorian, Cestrian |
SS Armenian was a British cargo liner that was launched in Ireland in 1895. In her first few years she carried cattle from Boston to Liverpool. From 1903 she carried cattle from New York to Liverpool. Leyland Line owned her throughout her career, but White Star Line managed her from 1903. She carried prisoners of war in the Second Boer War, and horses and mules in the First World War.
A German U-boat sank her in the North Atlantic in 1915, killing 29 people. The victims included 23 United States citizens, which prompted much comment in the US. Armenian was sunk less than two months after the sinking of RMS Lusitania, whose 1,195 victims included 123 US citizens. However, RMS Lusitania was an ocean liner with 1,300 passengers, whereas Armenian was a cargo ship carrying mules for the Entente Powers' war effort. The US citizens aboard her were not passengers, but hostlers hired to care for the mules.
The US Government continued to disagree with the way that the Imperial German Navy engaged Entente or neutral merchant ships, but also accepted that the U-boat was entitled to attack as Armenian had tried to flee instead of stopping to be searched.