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SS Oceanic (II) ship model

Details of model

• Builder's model, rigged, wood
• Scale 1:64 (3/16 inch to 1 foot)
• Model hull size 326.13 cm (l) x 32.3cm (w)
• Gift of the White Star Line, 1934. Previously in the company's head office in James Street, Liverpool.
• Accession number 34.139

Largest transatlantic passenger liner since the 'Great Eastern'

Shipbuilding in the 1890s ended on a high note with the completion in 1899, by Harland and Wolff, of 'Oceanic'. She was the second White Star liner of that name and a ship of outstanding elegance both inside and out.

Over 700 feet long, she was the first vessel to exceed the length of the 'Great Eastern' of 1858, and was, on completion, the largest and most luxurious ship afloat. She was built on the 'long ship' principle. This slimness of hull brought one major disappointment, namely excessive vibration at high speed. Although she averaged over 20 knots on a number of Atlantic crossings and was capable of more, it was found necessary to operate her at about 19 knots.

She left Liverpool on her maiden voyage to New York on September 6, 1899. Her best passage from Queenstown to New York was just under 5 days 16 hours. Apart from a brief spell as a Boer War transport, 'Oceanic' spent her early years on the Liverpool-New York route. In 1907 she, with the 'Adriatic', 'Teutonic' and 'Majestic', was transferred to a new service sailing out of Southampton. In 1911, however, 'Oceanic' was switched to the company's Liverpool-Montreal service. She remained extremely popular with passengers, and her success encouraged White Star to concentrate on comfort and great size.

'Oceanic' was built under Admiralty supervision. She was designed to serve as an auxiliary cruiser, being fitted with gun platforms. With the outbreak of the 1914-18 war, 'Oceanic', well suited for transport duties, was, instead, commissioned as an armed merchant cruiser. She joined the other White Star liners 'Teutonic' and 'Cedric' in the 10th Cruiser Squadron for patrol work in the northern approaches to the North Sea. Her service in this role was, however, very brief. On September 8 1914, in dense fog, she ran aground off Foula Island in the Shetlands, and became a total loss. No lives were lost and much equipment was recovered, but the wreck lay there for many years, striking evidence of her strong construction.

Please note that this model is not on display as it is in very poor condition, having been badly damaged by water prior to its acquisition by the museum. It may be many years before it can be restored to display condition. There is another model of this ship, to the same scale but in very good condition, in the collection of the Science Museum in London.