 SSZeeland | |
| History | |
|---|---|
| Name |
|
| Owner | International Mercantile Marine Co. |
| Operator |
|
| Port of registry |
|
| Route |
|
| Builder | John Brown & CompanyClydebank |
| Yard number | 342 |
| Launched | 24 November 1900 |
| Maiden voyage | Antwerp–New York, 13 April 1901 |
| Fate | Scrapped atThos. W. WardInverkeithing, 1930 |
| General characteristics H.M.T. Southland | |
| Type | Passenger Cargo Vessel |
| Tonnage | 11,905 GRT |
| Length | 561.6 ft (171.2 m) |
| Beam | 60.2 ft (18.3 m) |
| Propulsion | |
| Speed | 15knots (28 km/h) |
| Capacity |
|
| Crew | 121 |
| Notes | twofunnels, fourmasts |
SSZeeland was a British and Belgianocean liner of theInternational Mercantile Marine Co. (IMM). She was asister ship toVaderland and a near sister ship toKroonland andFinland of the same company. Although her name wasDutch, it was changed duringWorld War I to the less German-soundingSSNorthland. She served for a time as a British troop ship under the nameHMTNorthland. Reverting toZeeland after the war, the ship was renamedSSMinnesota late in her career.Zeeland sailed primarily for IMM'sRed Star Line for most of her early career, but also sailedunder charter for theWhite Star Line (later White Star-Dominion), theInternational Navigation Company, theAmerican Line, and theAtlantic Transport Line, all IMM subsidiary lines.The pursers safe survived the scrapyard atInverkeithing and after residing in a wardrobe for 80 years is currently on display in a local private home.[citation needed]
In July 1899, the Red Star Line announced plans for the construction of four large steamers. Two ships,Vaderland andZeeland atJohn Brown & Company ofClydebank in Scotland, and two others,Kroonland andFinland, were to be built atWilliam Cramp & Sons inPhiladelphia.[1] After beinglaunched on 24 November 1900,Zeeland made her maiden voyage from Antwerp to New York on 13 April 1901, sailing under the British flag.[2]
Zeeland began regular service on the Antwerp–New York route sailing opposite ofVaderland, and when they were completed in 1902,Kroonland andFinland. In April 1910,Zeeland waschartered to theWhite Star Line for service betweenLiverpool andBoston, where she remained until September 1911. The following month,Zeeland was returned to the Antwerp–New York service for Red Star. In July 1912 the liner was reflagged as a Belgian ship; she remained on the same route, and continued sailing for the Red Star Line.[2]
After the August 1914 outbreak ofWorld War I,Zeeland was reflagged as a British ship, and sailed from Liverpool to New York in September. Shifting to the White Star-Dominion Line,Zeeland first sailed from Liverpool toQuebec andMontreal in November, and from Liverpool toHalifax andPortland in December and January 1915. In early 1915,Zeeland, though her name wasDutch, was renamed to the less German-soundingSSNorthland. Sailing for theInternational Navigation Company, the liner continued on the Liverpool–Halifax–Portland service through June before returning to the Liverpool–Quebec–Montreal route.[2]
After a period when she was taken up as a British troop ship, under the name HMTNorthland, the liner returned for service under the White Star-Dominion Line in August 1916. In April 1917,Northland began Liverpool–Halifax service, eventually making seven roundtrips on that route.[2]
Zeeland was converted to cabin- and third-class passenger service only. Zeeland began her in LLOYD REAL HOLANDÉSE on 8 October 1907 for Europe to South americaNorthland began sailing from Liverpool toPhiladelphia for theAmerican Line through June 1919. After a refurbishment, the liner was returned to her former name,Zeeland; to the Red Star Line; and to Antwerp–New York service (with intermediate stops inSouthampton) in August 1920. Transferred to theAtlantic Transport Line in 1927, the liner was renamed SSMinnesota and began tourist service between London and New York in April. After making her last voyage in September 1929,Minnesota was sold and scrapped atThos. W. Ward Inverkeithing in 1930.[2]
