SS Westernland (1883)

For the ocean liner built in 1917, see SS Westernland.

SS Westernland was an ocean liner built in 1883 by for the Red Star Line, and was the company's first steel-hulled ship. She operated for 26 years before being scrapped in 1910.

Painting of the ship in 1894, by Antonio Jacobsen
History
Belgium
Name	SS Westernland
Owner	Red Star Line
Operator	Red Star Line
Port of registry	Antwerp
Route	Antwerp–New York
Builder	Laird Brothers Limited, Birkenhead
Yard number	509
Laid down	1883
Launched	4 August 1883
Maiden voyage	3 November 1883
Fate	Transferred to American Line 1901
History
United States
Name	SS Westernland
Owner	American Line
Operator	American Line
Port of registry	Liverpool
Route	Liverpool–Philadelphia
Acquired	March 1901
Fate	Transferred to Red Star Line 1906
History
Belgium
Name	SS Westernland
Owner	Red Star Line
Operator	Red Star Line
Port of registry	Antwerp
Route	Antwerp–New York
Acquired	March 1906
Fate	Sold to Italy 1910
History
Italy
Name	SS Land
Owner	L. Pittaluga
Port of registry	Genoa
Acquired	1910
Fate	Scrapped 1910
General characteristics
Tonnage	5,708 GRT
Length	440 feet (130 m)
Beam	47.2 feet (14.4 m)
Depth	35.3 feet (10.8 m)
Installed power	Single compound steam engine, 640 NHP
Propulsion	Single propeller, sails
Speed	14.5 knots[1]

Design and construction

Westernland was built in Birkenhead by Laird Brothers, and was launched on 4 August 1883.^[2] She was fitted with Scotch marine boilers^[3] powering a single compound steam engine as her primary means of propulsion, notably using the largest piston that had ever been made,^[4][5] but also carried sails on her four masts for auxiliary power.^[4] Westernland was the first Red Star Liner to be constructed from steel rather than iron, and was also the first in the company's fleet to sport twin funnels.^[6]

Career

Westernland sailed on her maiden voyage between Antwerp and New York City on 3 November 1883.^[7] In March 1901, she was transferred to the American Line, which operated her on the company's Liverpool–Philadelphia service for six years before being transferred back to the Red Star Line's Antwerp–New York service in March 1906.^[6] Westernland was sold to L. Pittaluga for scrapping in early 1910, and was renamed Land for her final voyage to Genoa, where she arrived on March 9.^[2]