The Ship with Tallest Stack

The Ivernia was one many vessels in Cunard’s intermediate fleet.  These ships catered to immigrants and budget minded travelers whom did not demand swift passage or luxurious accommodations.  These vessels also transported larger quantities of cargo than the express liners.  Ivernia sailed on the Liverpool to Boston run and sometimes Treiste to New York. 

Ivernia dwarfs the USS Olympia in this scene. 

Ivernia carried the largest single funnel ever fitted to a ship, measuring 60 feet from base to top. Her overall design was similar to her near-sisters Saxonia and Carpathia.  Her practical design of a single funnel and four masts indicates that she carried more cargo than the larger express liners.  All four masts are positioned above cargo hatches and each is equipped with four booms for loading and unloading freight and baggage.

1:1250 model by Mercator.

Captain William Turner was in command when she was torpedoed by UB-47 and sank in 1917.  For the second time, Turner swam away from a sinking ship and was rescued.  Turner was accused of failing to sail Lusitania on a zig-zag pattern to avoid a U-boat attack.   When torpedoed, Turner claimed Ivernia was sailing on a zig-zag course.  Nevertheless, his career effectively ended.  While he was not dismissed from employment, Turner never took another vessel to sea.

SS Ivernia (1900-1917) Built for Cunard Line by Swan, Hunter & Wigham Richardson, Ltd., 1900.  13,799 GRT, 600 feet long, 64 feet wide.  Steam quadruple expansion engines geared to twin screw.  Service speed 15 knots.  1,964 passengers (164 first class, 200 second class, 1,600 steerage).