The SS Chancellor was a British cargo vessel built in 1895 by Swan Hunter at their shipyard in Newcastle upon Tyne, with yard number 197. Originally launched under the name Saint Cuthbert, she was renamed Chancellor in 1902. The ship measured approximately 122 meters (400 feet 3 inches) in length and had a beam of 14.3 meters (46 feet 11 inches). She was assessed at a gross register tonnage (GRT) of 4,586, indicating a sizable cargo capacity for her time. Propelled by a triple expansion steam engine driving a single screw propeller, the Chancellor developed a rated horsepower of 418 nhp, enabling her to undertake transatlantic voyages. Her design and engineering reflected the typical characteristics of early 20th-century cargo ships, optimized for long-distance freight transportation. During her service, the Chancellor operated on routes including Liverpool to New Orleans, carrying general cargo. On 23 September 1915, while on such a voyage with approximately 2,500 tons of cargo, she was attacked in the Atlantic Ocean. She was shelled and captured by the German submarine SM U-41, approximately 86 nautical miles south by east of the Fastnet Rock. The attack resulted in the sinking of the vessel, but notably, there was no loss of life. The sinking of the SS Chancellor highlights the dangers faced by merchant shipping during World War I, especially due to submarine warfare. Her construction, service route, and ultimate sinking by a U-boat contribute to her historical significance, illustrating the perils of maritime trade during wartime and the strategic importance of convoy and shipping security in the Atlantic.

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