SS Vedic

SS Vedic

History
United Kingdom
Name	SS Vedic
Owner	White Star Line
Operator	White Star Line
Port of registry	Liverpool
Route	Belfast-Clyde-Boston
Builder	Harland and Wolff
Yard number	461
Launched	18 December 1917
Completed	June 1918
Maiden voyage	11 July 1918
In service	10 July 1918
Out of service	1934
Fate	Scrapped in 1934
General characteristics
Type	Ocean liner
Tonnage	9,332 GRT
Length	460.5 ft (140.4 m)
Beam	58.3 ft (17.8 m)
Decks	3
Propulsion	Double propeller installation triple blades.
Speed	14 knots (26 km/h; 16 mph) (design service speed)
Capacity	1,250 third class

SS Vedic was an ocean liner for the White Star Line, built in 1917 by Harland and Wolff. She was immediately requisitioned as a troopship before she could begin passenger service due to the ongoing conflicts of World War One, for which she was extensively refitted.

On September 19, 1919, while returning British troops home from Russia, Vedic managed to run aground near North Ronaldsay in the Orkney Islands, Scotland. Vedic was helped back to deep water by warships and tug boats.

After the War, in 1920, Vedic saw passenger service as intended. She was once again refitted as an ocean liner, and immediately after travelled the Canada-to-Liverpool immigrant route. She took the Liverpool-Australia route in 1925.

In 1934, the White Star Line merged with its chief rival, Cunard Line, forming Cunard-White Star, Ltd. The newly formed company decided that the vessel was too old and needed to be retired from service. She was one of the first ships that Cunard-White Star sent to the breakers. She was sold for scrap in 1934.

Vedic, seen from stern in early 1920s

References

• McCluskie, Tom (2013). The Rise and Fall of Harland and Wolff. History Press Limited. ISBN 9780752488615. - Total pages: 175
• The Sunday Post (21 September 1919). "Troopship's Narrow Escape". The Sunday Post. Dundee, Scotland.