SS Cymric was a White Star Line steamship launched on 12 October 1897, built by Harland & Wolff in Belfast. Designed initially as an enlarged, combined passenger and livestock carrier akin to the SS Georgic, Cymric’s layout was modified during construction to eliminate livestock accommodations in favor of expanded Third Class passenger space, reflecting changing market preferences. The vessel featured relatively modest machinery, intended for economical operation at 15 knots, with two quadruple expansion engines producing 6,800 indicated horsepower, which powered her two propellers. Her design prioritized interior comfort and spaciousness over speed, with less noise and vibration, setting a precedent for White Star’s focus on luxurious, high-quality accommodations. Cymric could carry up to 1,418 passengers—258 in First Class and 1,160 in Third Class—offering well-appointed amenities such as three-berth cabins, promenade decks, a smoke room, library, and a spacious dining room capped with a large dome. Her Third Class facilities were segregated and arranged to provide relatively comfortable accommodations, including open-berth and dormitory-style cabins. Her interior design emphasized passenger comfort over rapid transit, contrasting with faster liners like the Majestic. Throughout her career, Cymric primarily served the North Atlantic routes between Liverpool and New York, and later Liverpool and Boston. She was notably popular with immigrants and carried over 155,000 passengers during her service. In 1913, her accommodations were downgraded to only carry second and third class passengers. She also served as a troop and cargo transport during the Boer War and World War I, notably transporting British soldiers to France and delivering significant quantities of ammunition from the United States. Cymric’s career ended when she was torpedoed and sunk by the German U-20 submarine on 8 May 1916, about 140 miles west-northwest of Fastnet Rock, Ireland. The attack resulted in the deaths of five individuals, including crew members and crew who fell overboard during evacuation. Her wreck has not been located, but her sinking marked her as one of the many ships lost during wartime Atlantic service, reflecting her maritime significance as both a luxurious liner and wartime vessel.

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