SS Traffic (1872)

SS Traffic was a baggage tender of the White Star Line, built in 1872 by Philip Speakman in Runcorn and made of English Oak. She was launched on September 22nd 1872, and completed by May 1873.[1] She was outfitted with machinery at the Old Quay Dock by Mr. W. P. Gaulton, an engineer from Manchester. She was based at the Port of Liverpool, and maintained a 24-year career with White Star. Traffic briefly served as a cargo vessel, but soon returned to tendering service.

For the 1911 ship of the same name, see SS Traffic (1911).

History
United Kingdom
NameSS Traffic
Owner
OperatorWhite Star Line (1872–1896)
BuilderPhilip Speakman, Runcorn
Yard numberBelvedere Yard
Launched22 September 1872
In service1873
Out of service1955
IdentificationUnited Kingdom Official Number 69263
FateScrapped 1955
General characteristics
TypeShip's tender
Tonnage155 GRT, 83 NRT
Length101.8 ft (31.02 m)
Beam23.6 ft (7.19 m)
Depth9 ft 6 inc (2.9 m)
Installed power40 hp
PropulsionSteam engine by W P Gaulton of Manchester, Single Screw
Speed8 knots

Traffic was sold to the Liverpool Lighterage Co., where she served for fifty-nine years in reliable service.During 1919, Traffic was converted to a dumb barge, and in May 1941, she was sunk in the May Blitz at the Canada Dock in Liverpool, and was raised by that October. She was broken up at Tranmere in 1955, at an age of eighty-two years. She was the only baggage tender used by the White Star Line until the company's SS Pontic entered service in 1894.

Despite Traffic's large existence and running time, there are currently no known photographs of her.

Incidents
  • On 10 January 1878, Traffic was run into by the steamship Maggie Ann at Liverpool and was severely damaged. She was beached.[2]
  • On 5 May 1941 she was sunk in Liverpool docks by German aircraft during the 'May Blitz'. She was later raised and returned to service.

See also

References
  1. "Screw Steamer TRAFFIC built by Philip Speakman & Co. in 1873 for Oceanic Steam Navigation Co., Ltd., Liverpool, Coaster". shippingandshipbuilding.uk. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
  2. "Disasters at Sea". The Times. No. 29149. London. 11 January 1878. col E, p. 6.
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