Traffic

On 10 April 1912 Titanic arrived at Cherbourg from Southampton at 6:35 p.m. after a voyage of little more than five hours. After taking aboard mail and pasengers she departed at 8:10 p.m. Boarding were 274 passengers: 142 first class, 30 second, and 102 third.

Owner: Oceanic Steam Navigation Co., Ltd. (White Star Line)

Passenger and baggage tender. Electric conveyor belts fitted on bridge deck fore and aft to assist with loading of mails and luggage.

Signal letters: L G C P
Steel hull, one funnel, one mast, 2 decks, twin screws
Port of Registry: Cherbourg, France
Flag of Registry: French
Funnel: buff with a black top
Company flag: Red swallow tail with a white star

Tonnages: gross 675 Net 420
Dimensions length 175.7 ft. width 35.1 ft depth 12.4 ft.

1911 Built and engined by Harland & Wolff Belfast, Yard No. 423
Engines: 2 compound, (2) 12" (2) 24" x 15" stroke
Accommodation: 500 Third Class and their luggage
1911 April 25 Launched
1911 May 27 Handed over to owner
1911 May 29-30 Accompanied Olympic during her sea trials out of Belfast
1911 May 31 Following the morning launch of Titanic departed Belfast at the same time as Olympic (Olympic proceeded to Liverpool. Traffic, with Nomadic went directly to Cherbourg). Nomadic and Traffic were registered under the French flag and managed by A. Laniece and later by George A. Laniece for the White Star’s French operations.
1927 Transferred to Cie Cherbourgeoise de Transbordment
1929 Jun 5 Damaged in collision with White Star’s Homeric
1929 Oct Fitted with new propellers
1929 Dec Damaged when coming alongside Atlantic Transport Line’s Minnewaska
1934 After merger with Cunard, was sold to the Societie Cherbourgeoise de Remorquage et Sauvetage, funnel red with black top band. Renamed Ingenieur Riebell.
1940 Jun Scuttled at Cherbourg. Raised , reconditioned by the German Navy and used as armed coastal convoy escort.
1941 Jan 17 English Channel: While in action under the German flag, was sunk by a British Navy torpedo boat.

© John P. Eaton This article first appeared in VOYAGE issue #44, the journal of Titanic International Society