SS Ionic (1883) — BrandWiki

SS Ionic (1883)

Overview

*SS Ionic (1883–1900) *SS Sophocles (1900–1908)

country	United Kingdom
owner	White Star Line (1883–1900) Aberdeen Line (1900–1908)
operator	Chartered by New Zealand Shipping Company (1883–1884) Chartered by Spanish government (1900)
builder	Harland & Wolff, Belfast
yard number	152
launched	11 January 1883
completed	28 March 1883
maiden voyage	April 1884 London to Wellington
fate	Broken up in April 1908

SS Ionic was a cargo liner initially in service with White Star Line from 1883 until 1900. She was used on the company's joint route to New Zealand with the Shaw, Savill & Albion Line. She was sold to the Aberdeen Line in 1900 and renamed SS Sophocles, and was withdrawn for service in 1906 and scrapped in 1908.

Service

Ionic was built by Harland & Wolff, Belfast and launched on 11 January 1883, being delivered to her new owners on 28 March 1883.[1] She was almost immediately chartered for service with the New Zealand Shipping Company, along with the White Star ships SS Doric (1883) and SS Coptic (1881), to fill a gap while the company was awaiting the delivery of new ships.[2] After being inspected by the Prince of Wales, Ionic began her maiden voyage from London to Wellington, sailing via the Cape of Good Hope, in April 1884, setting a new record for the passage.[2]