Baltic (II)
In the early 1900’s Harland and Wolff constructed a quartet of Big four class ships, Celtic, Cedric, Baltic and Adriatic. The third of these ships, RMS Baltic (II) was launched on 21st November 1903.
With 906 passengers onboard, Baltic departed Liverpool on 29th June 1904 and arrived in New York 7 days, 13 hours and 37 minutes later. Just like Titanic on her maiden voyage, Baltic was under the command of Captain EJ Smith.
On 13th March 1907 a coal barge foundered off New Jersey City, as a result of Baltic colliding with it in fog. Baltic was undamaged and was able to continue.
While avoiding a collision nearly caused by a tramp steamer, at the start of a voyage from New York in fog, on 8th May 1907, Baltic went aground in the Swash Channel and remained stuck there until the next day when with the help of a high tide and being hauled by tugs she was able to finally continue the voyage.
On 23rd January 1909 off Nantucket in heavy fog, the White Star Liner Republic was rammed into by an Italian ship called Florida that had 830 survives of an earthquake aboard, the damage sustained was causing the Republic to sink, loose all power and the passengers were transferred to the also badly damaged Florida.
The Republic's wireless operator, Jack Binns sent out a distress call which was received by Baltic’s operator Henry J Tattersall via Siasconsett on Nantucket Island’s operator Jack Irwin.
The Baltic then spent 12 hours searching for the drifting Republic and rescued the passengers and crew from aboard Florida. For Republic’s survivors it was there second boat trip. The Republic while being towed sunk beneath the waves, the next day and Baltic arrived back at New York with the survivors.
At 1.42pm on Sunday 14th April 1912, Titanic received an ice warning and wishes of success from Baltic. After Captain Smith had read the message it was shown to and remained in Bruce Ismay’s (the managing director of the White Star Line) possession until the Captain asked for it back at 7.15pm. It was then posted in the chart room.
In August 1914, due to a shortage of places because of people fleeing from the war in Europe, Baltic made a voyage with 2,072 passengers onboard, with many of her third class passengers being wealthy people who would normally be in first or second class.
During World War One the Baltic was used as a troop ship and survived a u boat attack undamaged.
In 1918 she returned to her White Star Line Liverpool to New York service.
On 6th December 1929, under the command of Captain Evan Davies, Baltic rescued crew from the schooner Northern Lights that was sinking in a storm with hurricane force winds, off Newfoundland. Baltic’s Captain and the crew that manned the rescue boat were awarded with medals from The Life Saving Benevolent Association. Baltic’s third officer, JH Walker and nine other crew members who were aboard the rescue boat were awarded $100 in gold for risking their lives to rescue Northern Lights crew.
Baltic began her last transatlantic voyage, before being scraped on, 17th September 1932. She arrived in Osaka on 17th February 1932 to be broken up.
