VICTORIAN / RUSSIAN

BUILT IN 1895 BY HARLAND AND WOLFF IN BELFAST FOR THE LEYLAND LINE AS THE 'VICTORIAN', SISTER SHIP TO THE ARMENIAN AND WAS USED AS A CARGO / LIVESTOCK CARRIER, ON THE LIVERPOOL TO BOSTON RUN.

IN 1899 SHE WAS USED AS A TRANSPORT SHIP FOR THE BOER WAR, HORSES MAINLY.

IN 1903 SHE WAS  MANAGED BY THE WHITE STAR LINE.  DURING THE FIRST WORLD WAR SHE WAS USED BY THE BRITISH ADMIRALTY AS A TROOP SHIP AND IN 1914  WAS RE-NAMED 'RUSSIAN' ( TO AVOID CONFUSION WITH THE ALLEN LINE 'VICTORIAN', ALSO BEING USED BY THE ADMIRALTY )

 SHE WAS TORPEDOED A FEW HUNDRED MILES OF MALTA IN 1916 BY THE GERMAN SUBMARINE UB.43 AND SANK.

SHE HAD BEEN MAKING HER WAY IN BALLAST FROM GREECE TO NEWPORT, SOUTH WALES.