SS Abessinia (1900) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids History |
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 Germany |
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| Name | SS Abessinia |
| Builder | Palmers Shipbuilding and Iron Company |
| Launched | 16 June 1900 |
| Fate | Wrecked, 3 September 1921 |
| General characteristics | |
| Tonnage | 5,735 tons |
| Length | 138m |
| Beam | 16m |
| Draft | 9m |
| Propulsion | 642 hp (479 kW) triple-expansion steam engine |
| Speed | 12.5 knots |
The SS Abessinia was a German cargo ship built in 1900. It was made of strong steel by a company called Palmers Shipbuilding & Iron Co. in Newcastle, England. The ship was very large, about 138 meters (453 feet) long. It weighed 5,753 gross tons, which is a way to measure a ship's size based on its internal volume.
The Abessinia was powered by a special type of engine called a triple-expansion steam engine. This engine used steam to turn the ship's propeller. It had 642 horsepower and could make the ship travel at a speed of 12.5 knots. A knot is a unit of speed used for ships, equal to about 1.85 kilometers per hour (1.15 miles per hour). The ship was owned by a big company called the Hamburg America Line.
Contents
The Ship's Journey and Challenges
Life Before the War
The SS Abessinia was built to carry goods across the oceans. It was a cargo ship, meaning its main job was to transport items from one place to another. For many years, it sailed the seas, helping with trade and moving important supplies.
World War I and Its Impact
During World War I, the Abessinia was in Chile. Because it was a German ship, it was "interned" there. This means it was held in a neutral country and not allowed to leave or take part in the war. To prevent the ship from being used by the enemy, its own crew damaged its machinery. This made the ship unable to sail.
After the War
After the war ended, the Abessinia was given to the Allied nations. These were the countries that had fought against Germany. The ship was then repaired so it could sail again. It finally arrived back in Hamburg, Germany, on August 3, 1920.
The Final Voyage
The Abessinia left Hamburg heading for the United Kingdom. It was traveling "in ballast," which means it was empty and not carrying any cargo. This helps a ship stay stable when it's not full. However, on September 3, 1921, the ship ran into trouble. It was wrecked on a rocky area called Knivestone, which is part of the Farne Islands off the coast of England.
The Wreck Today
The SS Abessinia is thought to be the largest shipwreck around the Farne Islands. Even though it sank over 100 years ago, it is still a very popular spot for divers. The broken front part of the ship, along with its anchor and chain, can still be seen lying on the west side of the Knivestone Reef. The wreck sits at a depth of about 18 meters (59 feet) underwater. You can find it at these coordinates: 55°39.950′N 001°36.049′W / 55.665833°N 1.600817°W.
