SS Princess Victoria
Ocean liner (1902–1953)
Vessel Wikidata
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The SS Princess Victoria was a notable early 20th-century passenger vessel constructed in 1902 by the shipbuilders of CS Swan & Hunter Company in Wallsend, Newcastle upon Tyne, England. Measuring 300 feet (91 meters) in length with a beam of 40.5 feet, the ship had a gross register tonnage of 1,943. Its distinctive design featured three smokestacks, characteristic of the era’s luxury liners. Launched and christened on 18 November 1902, the Princess Victoria arrived in Victoria, British Columbia, on 28 March 1903, marking the beginning of its service along the Pacific Northwest coast. Initially, the vessel was powered by coal and served as a passenger liner operated by the Canadian Pacific Railway, running routes between Victoria, Vancouver, and Seattle, Washington. In 1912, the ship was converted to oil fuel, enhancing its efficiency and operational range. During its service, the Princess Victoria was involved in a significant maritime incident on 26 August 1914, when it rammed and sank the SS Admiral Sampson in Puget Sound amidst dense fog, highlighting the navigational hazards faced by ships of the period. The vessel remained in passenger service until 1950, when it was laid up. In November 1951, it was sold to Tahsis & Company of Vancouver and converted into a bulk oil carrier, renamed Tahsis No. 3. This marked a substantial change in its purpose and configuration. Unfortunately, the ship's career ended when it struck a rock on 10 March 1953 in Welcome Pass, a narrow passage north of Vancouver. The accident resulted in the vessel sinking. Following its sinking, the wreck was salvaged and broken up at the Victoria Capital Iron Works. Notably, its engine room, telegraph, and steering gear were repurposed for the MV Uchuck III, a vessel that continues to operate today. The SS Princess Victoria’s history reflects both the maritime engineering of its time and its adaptable service life, transitioning from luxury passenger liner to industrial bulk carrier, and leaving a lasting legacy in the maritime community.
This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.