Teutonic Impresses

In 1887 Harland and Wolff began construction of a new ship for the White Star Line.  Designed by Alexander Carlisle (later he designed Olympic), the new ship would usher in a new era for White Star.  This new ship, Teutonic and her planned sister ship, Majestic would be the company’s first twin-screw ships, first vessels with three-class accommodation, forced air ventilation, and subsidized by the Admiralty for use as an armed merchant cruiser.  They would also be the last vessels to win the Blue Ribband for White Star.

1:1250 model of Teutonic by Gryzbowksi.  

Teutonic was long and lean.  The narrow beam necessitated an unusual propeller arrangement and the port screw was slightly forward of the starboard one.  This design allowed the engines to run at maximum efficiency, but each had to run at different speeds.

The triple expansion engines were supplied steam from 12 double-ended boilers and four single-ended boilers that were augmented by force draught fans.  This ventilation system reduced coal consumption to 310 tons per day (as compared to natural draught systems).  The ventilation also provided air circulation within the stokeholds as well for the benefit of stokers.

Other technical innovations included electric lighting throughout, steam-driven steering gear, and fully refrigerated cargo space for transporting fresh meat.  Fourteen steam-driven forced draught fans provided ventilation to the lower decks.

Teutonic docked awaiting provisions and passengers. Quays and warehouses by Tri-Ang Minic, Victorian buildings from Navy Models and Books.

Designed to Admiralty specifications, she had longitudinal watertight subdivisions in the engine and boiler rooms along with redundant systems that might be needed in the event of battle damage.  She also had mountings for twelve 5-inch guns that could be quickly installed if needed.  The Admiralty subsidy provided for 7,488 GRP per annum.

In August 1889, Teutonic was present at the Spithead Naval Review to mark Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee.  It was here that she was fitted out as a merchant cruiser and toured by Kaiser Wilhelm II.  Details of the visit vary but the Kaiser was intrigued by what he saw and encouraged German shipbuilders and owners (notably North German Lloyd and HAPAG) to build new liners capable of becoming auxiliary cruisers.  Within less than a decade, the Germans would dominate the North Atlantic with the Kaiser-class liners.

Archival photograph of Tuetonic ca 1900.  Detroit Publishing Compay.
http://www.loc.gov/pictures/collection/det/item/det1994011751/PP/

Three days later, on August 7, 1889, Teutonic departed Liverpool on her maiden voyage.  She made a fast crossing to New York of 6 days 17 hours and 25 minutes at an average speed of 17.59 knots.  The first crossing marked the beginning of a long career and a year as Blue Ribband holder, but also one punctuated by occasional fires, damage from storms, and collisions.

In 1900, Teutonic was requisitioned for transport duty to South Africa during the Boer War and served well carrying much-needed troops, horses, and supplies. 

In 1907, White Star (now part of IMM Co.) began express service from Southampton, and Teutonic was placed on this run until 1911, when she was transferred to the White Star-Dominion Line service to Canada.  She was overhauled to accommodate second-class and third-class passengers only and had her promenade deck plated in in order to protect passengers on the colder northern routes.

Note the three masts and two funnels arrangement.

Teutonic was requisitioned for government service again in 1914 as an auxiliary cruiser.  Assigned to the 10^th Cruiser Squadron, she patrolled northern seas around the British Isles.  Following the Armistice in 1918, she engaged in trooping duties in the Mediterranean.  In 1921 she was sold to German shipbreakers and broken up in Emden. 

RMS Tuetonic (1889-1921) Built for White Star Line by Harland & Wolff, Belfast, Northern Ireland.  582 Feet Long, 57’10” wide.  9,984 GRT Triple Expansion Reciprocating Engines, twin screw.  Service speed 19 knots.  1,490 Total Passengers (300 First Class, 190 Second Class, 1,000 Third Class).