SS Abbotsford

The SS Abbotsford was a brig-rigged iron passenger ship built by the Gourlay Brothers of Dundee for the Red Star Line, of Antwerp. Despite the company's home in Belgium, the liner was registered in Liverpool and flew the British flag.

History
United Kingdom
Name	SS Abbotsford
Operator	1873: Red Star Line 1874: American Line
Port of registry	Liverpool
Builder	Gourlay Brothers, Dundee, Scotland
Launched	29 March 1873[1]
Maiden voyage	Liverpool–Queenstown–Philadelphia, 10 May 1873
Fate	Sank off Anglesey, 23 July 1875
General characteristics
Tonnage	2,554 gross register tons (GRT)
Length	345 ft 11 in (105.44 m)
Beam	37 ft 2 in (11.33 m)
Propulsion	Single screw
Sail plan	Four masts
Speed	14 knots (26 km/h)
Capacity	30 Saloon, 650 steerage passengers
Notes	Single funnel, iron hull

She was launched on 29 March 1873. Her maiden voyage from Liverpool to Philadelphia started on 10 May 1873 for the Red Star.

On 24 November 1874 the Abbotsford collided with the Indus on the way to New York from Antwerp. Repairs were made in London, England. That same year, small pox broke out on the ship forcing the hospitalization of 8 passengers with the other passengers sent to Liverpool.

On 7 January 1875 a machinery failure disabled the Abbotsford while easterly bound and she was taken in tow by the Pennsylvania. A slight collision occurred in towing.

On 21 July 1875, the Abbotsford was driven ashore in Cummons Bay, Anglesey. Passengers were landed within 30 minutes and lodged at Amlwch. She was on a voyage from Philadelphia to Liverpool.^[2] On 23 July the Abbotsford heeled over and sank.^[3] She was replaced in service by the City of Limerick.

References

1. "Launch of a Large Iron Steamer". Dundee Courier. Dundee. 31 March 1872. Retrieved 22 November 2015 – via British Newspaper Archive.
2. "An American Mail Steamer Ashore on the Wels Coast". Liverpool Mercury. No. 5883. Liverpool. 22 July 1875.
3. "Shipping Intelligence". Glasgow Herald. No. 11100. Glasgow. 24 July 1875.

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