RMS Magdalena (1889) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids History |
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|---|---|
| United Kingdom | |
| Name | Magdalena |
| Namesake | Magdalena River in Colombia |
| Owner |  RMSP Co |
| Operator | 1915:  Royal Navy |
| Port of registry |  London |
| Route | Southampton – Brazil – Uruguay – Argentina (1889–1905); Southampton – Caribbean (1905–15) |
| Builder | Robert Napier and Sons, Govan |
| Yard number | 417 |
| Launched | 2 May 1889 |
| Completed | June 1889 |
| Maiden voyage | 2 August 1889 |
| Identification |
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| Fate | Scrapped 1923 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type |
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| Tonnage | 5,140 GRT, 2,865 NRT |
| Length | 421.2 ft (128.4 m) |
| Beam | 50.0 ft (15.2 m) |
| Depth | 25.4 ft (7.7 m) |
| Decks | 3 |
| Installed power | 687 NHP |
| Propulsion |
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| Sail plan | 3-masted schooner |
| Speed | 15 knots (28 km/h) |
| Capacity |
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| Sensors and processing systems |
by 1910: submarine signalling |
| Armament | as troop ship: 2 × naval guns |
| Notes |
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The RMS Magdalena was a British steamship built in 1889. She was a Royal Mail Ship and a large ocean liner for the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company. During World War I, she became a troop ship called HMT Magdalena. After many years of service, both as a passenger ship and a military transport, she was taken apart in 1923.
Building a New Ship
In the 1880s, the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company (RMSP) wanted bigger ships. They aimed to improve their trips between Southampton, South America, and the Caribbean. The first new ship was the Orinoco, launched in 1886. It was special because it had a steel hull, not iron.
After the Orinoco was a success, RMSP ordered two more ships. These were bigger and better versions of the Orinoco design. They were built by Robert Napier and Sons in Govan. The Atrato was launched in 1888. Then, the Magdalena was launched on May 2, 1889. RMSP liked these ships so much they ordered two more from Napier. These were the Thames (1889) and the Clyde (1890).
The Orinoco had only a small deck area for passengers. It was also the last ship for RMSP that used square sails. The Napier ships were more modern. They had a full upper deck and were rigged as a three-masted schooner. This meant they relied less on sails. The Atrato could carry 540 passengers. This included 170 in first class, 40 in second class, and 330 in third class.
The Magdalena had a powerful triple expansion steam engine. This engine was rated at 687 NHP (Nominal Horsepower). It powered a single screw and allowed the ship to travel at about 15 knots (28 km/h).
Like her sister ship Atrato, the Magdalena was named after a river in Colombia. The Magdalena River flows into the Caribbean Sea. The Magdalena was officially registered in London. Her UK official number was 96612.
Life as a Passenger Ship
The Magdalena started her first journey on August 2, 1889. The Lord Mayor and the City of London rented her. They used her to attend a special Royal Naval Review at Spithead. Queen Victoria held this event to honor her grandson, Kaiser Wilhelm II. The Magdalena was the only merchant ship in the parade. In September 1889, she began her regular trips. These trips were between Southampton and the east coast of South America.
Over the years, the Magdalena and her sister ships had some updates. In 1899, their lifeboats were moved higher up. This made them easier to launch. In 1903, the Magdalena and two sister ships got new bronze propellers. In December of that year, some cabins were updated. The ladies' saloon on each ship was also changed into more cabins.
The Magdalena had a few interesting moments during her service. In 1894, she was anchored in Bahia when someone "fired at" her. On New Year's Eve 1904, she bumped into a Norwegian barque called Ilos in Montevideo.
Around 1900, the Magdalena and her sisters had their hulls painted white. This was probably to help reflect heat in warm places. But this didn't last long. White paint showed dirt easily and cost more than black paint. So, in 1902, the ships were painted black again.
In 1909, another RMSP ship, the Trent, got stuck on a sandbank. The Magdalena tried to pull her free but couldn't. The next year, the Magdalena herself got stuck on the same sandbank!
By 1910, the Magdalena had new technology. She could use submarine signalling and wireless telegraphy. The Marconi Company provided her wireless equipment. By 1913, her wireless call sign was UND.
On June 12, 1912, while heading to Barbados, the Magdalena helped a barque that was stuck without wind. The crew of that ship had been living on just one biscuit per person per day for 40 days. At the end of 1912, the Magdalena carried the England Cricket Team on a successful trip to the West Indies.
Serving in World War I
When World War I started in August 1914, the Magdalena was 25 years old. She was getting old for a ship. However, on December 16, 1915, the Admiralty (the British Navy) took her over. She became the troop ship HMT Magdalena. She was fitted with two guns, operated by Royal Navy gun crews.
The Magdalena carried Australian troops across the Mediterranean Sea. She also brought West India Regiment troops to Europe. In January 1917, an influenza sickness broke out on board. This forced the ship to be put in quarantine. In August 1918, the Magdalena brought the Gold Coast Regiment home. This was after the East African Campaign ended.
In January 1917, while in Gibraltar, the Magdalena got more equipment. She received 45 boxes of "E" type smoke canisters. These were designed to create a smoke screen if the enemy attacked. On May 29, 1918, the ship was docked at Suez when these canisters caught fire. The fire started on the port side of the ship. Fireboats came alongside and eventually put out the fire.
End of Service
The Magdalena was the last of her sister ships to remain in service. The government returned her to her owners in 1920. The owners then stored her away. In late 1921, the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company sold her to companies that break up ships. She was taken apart in Birkenhead in late 1923.
