The SS Sardinia was a passenger-cargo vessel built in 1888 by Hawthorn Leslie and Company at Hebburn. Originally launched as Gulf of Corcovado, she was completed in August 1888 and measured 310 feet (94 meters) in length with a draught of 22.6 feet (6.9 meters). The ship had a gross register tonnage (GRT) of 2,361 and a net register tonnage (NRT) of 1,482. Propelled by a triple-expansion engine manufactured by Blair & Co Ltd, she was powered by a screw propeller, enabling her to undertake long-distance voyages. Throughout her career, the vessel underwent several ownership and name changes. Initially owned by the Greenock Steam Ship Co Ltd of Scotland, she was later acquired by Gulf Line Ltd in 1899, then sold to P Viale di GB of Genoa, Italy, who renamed her Paolo V. In 1902, she was acquired by Ellerman Lines of Liverpool and renamed Sardinia. On 25 November 1908, the Sardinia was en route from Malta’s Grand Harbour to Alexandria, carrying 39 crew members, 12 first-class passengers, and 142 steerage passengers, primarily Moroccan pilgrims traveling to Mecca for the Hajj. The vessel also carried general cargo, including nitrate or naphtha. Under the command of Captain Charles Littler, the ship departed Malta at 09:45 am. Shortly after leaving port, a fire broke out—likely caused by embers from a pilgrim’s cooking brazier coming into contact with nitrate in the cargo hold. The blaze quickly intensified, generating thick smoke and flames. Despite efforts to extinguish the fire, it rapidly spread, and the ship’s rudder was compromised as the crew abandoned control. The vessel ran aground off Fort Ricasoli, where multiple explosions tore through her structure, destroying hatches and lifeboats. The fire reached the upper decks, and the captain was among the first casualties. Many Moroccan passengers, mostly women and children, perished below deck or in the panic on deck, while others managed to jump into the water and be rescued. The disaster resulted in at least 118 fatalities, making it Malta’s worst peacetime maritime tragedy. The incident highlighted the dangers of cargo fires involving nitrate and the lack of onboard fire precautions. The Sardinia’s wreckage remained on the rocks as witnesses watched the destruction, and her sinking marked a significant event in Malta’s maritime history, often compared to the Titanic in terms of tragedy proportion relative to passenger capacity.

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