ST. SUNNIVA
Shipbuildervessel built by
Hall, Russell & Company, Limited
(Aberdeen, Scotland, 1864 - 1992)
Date1887
Object NamePASSENGER VESSEL
MediumSTEEL
ClassificationsShip
Dimensionslength 227 7/12' x breadth 29 7/12' x depth 22 11/12'
Gross Tonnage: 966 ton
Gross Tonnage: 966 ton
Object numberABDSHIP001887
About MeYard: Hall, Russell & Co.Yard Number: 244
Official Number: 88873
Fate: Aground on Mousa, Shetland, 10 April 1930. Later broke up and sank.
Propulsion: Steam
Description: Two decks, two masts, schooner rigged, round stern, clench built, no gallery, three quarters female figurehead, steel passenger vessel. Electric light fitted.
Owners:
12/05/1887: Registry opened. Archer Irvine Fortescue of Kingussie, Kincardine (gentleman; Alexander Webster of Aberdeen, advocate, and Alexander Milne Ogston of Aberdeen, merchant joint owners, 64 shares.
Trading as North of Scotland & Orkney & Shetland Steam Navigation Company
Master: J. Angus
General History:
Launched first week of April 1887
Passenger only vessel until 1908 when two hatches were inserted and passenger accommodation removed from lower deck.
26/05/1887: Maiden voyage. 15.5 knots, 142 passengers.
23/09/1909: Certificate cancelled, registered anew in consequence of material alterations.
February 1914 - stranded on Graemeshall, Orkney.
1928 - Stranded near Peterhead.
05/04/1887:
Tours to west coast and fjords of Norway. Splendid new 1st class passenger steamer ST. SUNNIVA leaves Leith and Aberdeen 26 May on 10 days cruise. Fortnightly thereafter.
(Leeds Mercury)
14/05/1887:
New steamer ST. SUNNIVA has been fitted up with electric light installation comprising 136 lamps fixed throughout the ship. Light was turned on for first time in presence of large number of spectators, who expressed admiration for brilliancy of the display.
(Aberdeen Journal)
23/05/1887:
Splendid new steamer ST. SUNNIVA, built expressly for Norwegian trips, left Aberdeen Saturday to enter upon seasons tours. Select company on passage to Leith included Mr. Merrylees, manager of owners and Mr A.H. Russell of Hall Russell. ST. SUNNIVA will remain at Leith till 26 May, when she will return to Aberdeen for 1st voyage to Norway.
(Aberdeen Weekly Journal)
22/06/1887:
ST. SUNNIVA at Aberdeen last night to take on passengers for her 3rd trip to Norway, as on former occasions, she remained in bay and tourists were taken aboard by harbour tug. Total number aboard about 150. Large number of bookings for ST. SUNNIVA's 10 cruises has induced co. to make 2 additional runs on ST. RUGNVALD.
(Aberdeen Weekly Journal)
12/12/1887:
ST. SUNNIVA was launched 24 March and fitted with triple expansion surface condensing engines of 250 nominal h.p., 2 steam boilers working pressure 160lbs per square inch, steam winches and steering gear. Complete installation of electric lights and bells. Whole internal arrangements on scale of magnificence.
(Aberdeen Weekly Journal)
07/06/1888:
ST. SUNNIVA arrived Aberdeen after 1st cruise of season to Norway - disembarked 8 passengers at Aberdeen. Weather very favourable for most part. Held on to Leith.
(Aberdeen Weekly Journal)
21/06/1888:
After ST. SUNNIVA left Molde one of her passengers, a Free Church minister from Dunfermline, fell overboard. Steamer, travelling at 15 knots, immediately turned round. Boat was launched and minister, fortunately a good swimmer, was brought on board in short space of 8 minutes. Considerable excitement among other passengers, at lunch at the time. Subscription raised for crew of small boat. Minister none the worse of his dip.
(Dundee Courier)
30/08/1888:
Splendid 1st class steamer ST. SUNNIVA, from Leith 1st Sept. for 31 day cruise to Baltic, including Christiana, Copenhagen, Stockholm and St. Petersburg. [ST. SUNNIVA cruises very extensively advertised in north of England newspapers - described as "Quickest and cheapest route" to fjords.]
(Leeds Mercury)
23/05/1889:
1st cruise of season - from Leith and Aberdeen. ST. SUNNIVA underwent a thorough overhaul last year, one of her saloons being enlarged and more sleeping accommodation provided. A week or two ago she was docked and again received additional improvements.
(Aberdeen Weekly Journal)
16/08/1887:
ST. SUNNIVA direct from Leith for Hardanger fjord 31 August.
(Aberdeen Weekly Journal)
16/09/1889:
ST. SUNNIVA laid past for season having completed summer trips to Norway.
(Aberdeen Weekly Journal)
02/04/1895:
ST. SUNNIVA chartered by Mr. Wollrich and Dr. Lunn for Whitsun cruise Baltic capitals.
(Aberdeen Weekly Journal)
13/07 + 5/8/1896:
ST. SUNNIVA rescued passengers from French tourist steamer GENERAL CHANCZY, ashore near Floroe. French press claimed ST. SUNNIVA refused to help unless her services were paid for, but French admiralty stated captain of ST. SUNNIVA acted in handsomest manner. Captain Angus of ST. SUNNIVA is one of the company's most trustworthy servants, having been in their employ nearly 40 years, known as a careful navigator, thorough seaman and has on several occasions displayed conspicuous gallantry.
(Aberdeen Weekly Journal)
26/04/1899:
ST. SUNNIVA 12 days cruise London - Leith, Aberdeen and Orkney and Shetland Isles, including remote and picturesque Fair Isle and Foula, leaving 29 June. Particulars Thomas Cook.
(Standard)
10/06/1898:
Former claims ST. SUNNIVA ashore for half and hour on rocks near Peterhead in fog. Latter claims she was saved from disaster by Peterhead pilots coming aboard just in time and that she proceeded on her voyage to Aberdeen and Leith.
(Dundee Courier) also (Aberdeen Weekly Journal, 15/06/1898)
06/05/1899:
Splendid steamer ST. SUNNIVA to leave Leith 19 May, 3, 16 + 27 June and 10 July for 10 days cruises to Norway.
(Liverpool Mercury)
12/04/1930:
The vessel went aground on Mousa on Thursday 10th April 1930.
A dramatic account of the wreck on Mousa, with Captain Williamson in command, as the vessel began to go down by the bows within ten minutes of striking and passengers began offering prayers. All passengers were safely taken off and the vessel sank a few weeks later, having been broken up by stormy weather.
(Press & Journal)
Notes:
1908: Two hatches were inserted and accommodation removed from lower deck.
1919: New boilers under Order No. 01.19.
Engine Details: Steam by a screw, three triple compound, inverted, direct acting, 24"x63" with 36" stroke, 250H.P., 1830i.h.p.
Boiler: Number 2 steel, 12'3" diameter, 16' length, 8 corrugated 44 and one quarter" mean diameter furnace with 4378 square feet heating area and 160psi.
Propeller: 12'8" diameter, solid 4 bladed cast iron.
