The SS Cambria was a British cargo-passenger steamship constructed with an iron hull at the Robert Duncan & Co. shipyard in Port Glasgow. Launched on 1 March 1869, she was designed for trans-Atlantic service under the auspices of the Anchor Line. The vessel measured approximately 300 feet in length and was equipped to carry both passengers and cargo across the Atlantic, facilitating passenger comfort and cargo capacity typical of the era's steamships. Her service history was relatively brief, with her maiden voyage commencing on 8 May 1869 from Glasgow, calling at Moville in County Donegal, Ireland, before heading to New York City. By October 1870, on her twelfth crossing, she was commanded by Captain John Carnighan. On 8 October 1870, she departed New York with a crew of 74 and 105 passengers, carrying a general cargo. Tragically, the vessel met her demise on the night of 19 October 1870, when she was navigating heavy seas and struck Tor Beg rock, located half a mile northwest of Inishtrahull Island, near Malin Head in Ireland. The collision resulted in a catastrophic loss of life, with 178 fatalities including notable victim Retired General Hasbrouck Davis. Lifeboats were launched in an attempt to rescue survivors; however, only one survivor, passenger John M'Gartland, was rescued after his lifeboat capsized and he was found clinging to the boat's overturned hull. He later was rescued by the SS Enterprise. The sinking left four empty lifeboats found at the Giant's Causeway and the ship's stern drifting ashore at Islay, Scotland, serving as stark reminders of the disaster. The wreck of the SS Cambria remains a significant maritime tragedy of the period, exemplifying the dangers faced by steamships operating in the North Atlantic during the 19th century.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.