White Star Line
When Thomas Henry Ismay established White Star Line in 1867, he came to an agreement with Gustav Christian Schwabe in return for financial assistance. Ismay promised to build the company's future ships in Harland and Wolff's shipyards in Belfast, which had been founded by Schwabe's nephew Gustav Wilhelm Wolff. Four ships were originally commissioned to form the Oceanic class, but this was later expanded to six. Republic was the fourth ship of the class and was launched on 4 July 1871; although she was launched as Adriatic, her name was changed to Republic by late August.[1] The name refers to the fact she was launched on Independence Day in the United States.
The ship's maiden voyage took place on 1 February 1872, from Liverpool to New York City, stopping at Queenstown. During this journey, the ship encountered exceptionally rough weather and high seas, so much so that water entered the ship via the ventilation cowls, and a wave smashed the glass of the skylight to the engine room, allowing much water to enter, which extinguished several boilers. One of the lifeboats broke loose in the rough conditions, badly injuring the ship's Second Mate. As a result of this incident, White Star Line changed their policy towards the stowage of lifeboats in rough weather, as it had been observed that the boats which had been tightly tied down were smashed by the waves, while those which were given more freedom of movement suffered less damage.[2]
At the end of 1872, all six Oceanic class ships were in service, but White Star Line only required five. Ismay attempted to compete with the Pacific Steam Navigation Company on the line of the South Atlantic and the Pacific, destined for Chile. Republic was chosen to serve this route with two smaller mixed-liners, SS Asiatic and SS Tropic, and two other ships, SS Gaelic and SS Belgic.
Faced with this offensive, the Pacific Steam Navigation Company attempted to construct a vessel capable of competing with Republic, the Tacora. Both ships participated in a race between Liverpool and Callao in October 1871; the Tacora was unable to travel beyond Montevideo, but Republic successfully completed the journey. Despite the success of the trip, Republic was placed back on the route to New York, while the South Atlantic and Pacific routes were cancelled, as they were too expensive.
Reserve vessel
In 1874, White Star Line had two modern ships produced, the SS Britannic and the SS Germanic. The Republic was deemed unnecessary for the regular service to New York and became a standby vessel for the company. Despite this, the SS Republic was used repeatedly in the future, whenever one of the modern vessels had to undergo repairs or maintenance. On 8 August 1875, she discovered the Norwegian barque Velox abandoned in the Atlantic Ocean. Some of her crew were put aboard with the intention of taking Velox in to Queenstown, County Cork.[3]
In February 1879, the ship was badly damaged after being struck on the River Mersey by schooner Ocean Queen. In December of the same year, the Republic faced rough seas during a crossing of the Atlantic, and its smokestack was damaged and had to be repaired by the crew. In December 1880, Republic was damaged and was meant to be towed by German steam vessel Mosel. This vessel did not have enough coal, but Republic managed to reach New York a few days later without assistance. On 9 February 1883, Republic rescued 44 survivors from the Warren Line steamship SS Glamorgan (1872), which had foundered in the Atlantic Ocean. One of her crew was lost effecting the rescue.[4]
In 1885, White Star Line briefly provided the
Flagging and retirement
The arrival of Teutonic in 1889 and the announcement of RMS Majestic made the Republic unnecessary, and she was put up for sale. The ship was purchased in June 1889 by the Holland America Line, which paid £35,000 to acquire her. Renamed Maasdam, she was immediately sent to G. Forrester & Co. in Liverpool for an overhaul of machinery (for more economical and effective machines) and a reorganisation of her facilities. Once this overhaul was completed, the Maasdam was able to carry 150 first class passengers, 60 second class passengers, and 800 steerage/third class passengers. From 15 March 1890, she served on a route between Rotterdam and New York, and was not damaged during her service with the Holland America Line, which satisfied the company. In 1902, a brief stopover at Boulogne-sur-Mer was added to the route to New York.
In 1902, she was sold to Italian company La Veloce, which first renamed her Vittoria, before quickly switching to Città di Napoli. The ship transported migrants from Genoa, Naples, Palermo, and Gibraltar to New York, and underwent an overhaul which increased her capacity to 1,424 steerage passengers. Her first voyage with the company began on 30 September 1902. Città di Napoli was used until 27 April 1907, when she was withdrawn by the company.
After the 1908 Messina earthquake, La Veloce lent Città di Napoli, North America, and Savoia to the Italian government, in order to shelter the victims. La Veloce re-obtained the ship in 1909, and she was scrapped in Genoa the following year.
