Minnewaska (IV) Fact File
Owner: Atlantic Transport Co. Ltd.
Ship Details
Details
Vessel Type: Passenger and cargo ship
Official No: 145433
Builder: Harland & Wolff Ltd, Queen's Island, Belfast
Yard No: 613
Laid down: 11 November 1920
Launched: 22 March 1923
Handed over: 25 August 1923
Port & Date of Registry: Belfast, August 1923
Managing Owner & Address: James F. Horncastle, 38 Leadenhall Street, London, E.C.
Description
Number of Decks: 3 and 1 partial
Number of Masts: 2
Rigged: Sloop
Stern: Cruiser
Build: Clencher
Framework & Description of Vessel: Steel
Number of Bulkheads: -
Number of water ballast tanks: -
Dimensions
Length: 600.8 feet
Breadth: 80.4 feet
Depth: 49.4 feet
Gross Registered Tonnage: 21,716 tons
Machinery
Engine Builder: Harland & Wolff Ltd, Belfast
Engine Type: 4 X Parson's steam turbines, single reduction, geared to two shafts
Cylinders: n/a
Stroke: n/a
Nominal Horse Power: 3,570
Boilers
Description: Oil fired
Number: -
Iron or Steel: Steel
Pressure when loaded: -
Screw: Twin
Speed: 16½ knots
Signal Letters: K. P. L. M.
NOTES
Minnewaska and her sister ship Minnetonka (Yard No. 614), were the largest liners registered at the Port of Belfast. Each was constructed with 17,000-tons of deadweight capacity for cargo making both vessels the world's largest passenger and cargo ships when they entered service in 1923 and 1924 respectively.
The new liner, her name meaning 'clear water' revived Atlantic Transport's direct passenger service between London and New York when she began her maiden voyage on 4 August 1923. The largest steamer sailing out of the Port London and carrying only First Class, Minnewaska had room for 370 passengers and space for 17,000-tons of cargo. Her accommodation was designed to provide a maximum of comfort combined with excellent service and cuisine which, in view of the moderate rates charged, should have made the two sister ships very popular.
The pre-war 'Minnie' class ships established a great reputation amongst business travellers and were highly praised for their comfort and steadiness; but during the First World War all four of the class were lost through enemy action.
The Company proudly stated in publicity material that their replacements would revive the old service - 'On August 4th next, the ninth anniversary of the beginning of the Great War, this vessel - the first of the new "Minnie" fleet - will resume the service that was familiarly known as the "Comfort Route," and surely no more fitting date could have been chosen.'
The Depression years, however, combined with the virtual collapse of the transatlantic freight business (needed to offset the small amount of passenger accommodation), resulted in huge operating looses. After just twelve years both vessels were sent for breaking up.
