SS Oslo (1906)

For other ships with the same name, see SS Oslo.

SS Oslo was a British passenger ship that was torpedoed by the German submarine SM U-87 in the North Sea 15 nautical miles (28 km) east by north of the Out Skerries, Shetland Islands. She was travelling from Trondheim, Norway to Liverpool, United Kingdom while carrying passengers and a cargo of copper ore.

History
Name	Oslo
Owner	Wilson Thos., Sons & Co. Ltd. - Wilson Line Of Hull - Wilson C.H.
Operator	Wilson Line
Port of registry	Hull, United Kingdom
Builder	Earle‘s Shipbuilding & Engineering Co, Hull
Yard number	515
Launched	9 April 1906
Completed	19 May 1906
Maiden voyage	25 May 1906
Identification	Official number 123251
Fate	Torpedoed and sunk 21 August 1917
General characteristics
Type	Passenger ship
Tonnage	2,296 GRT
Length	88.4 metres (290 ft 0 in)
Beam	11.9 metres (39 ft 1 in)
Depth	7.7 metres (25 ft 3 in)
Decks	2
Installed power	Triple expansion steam engine
Propulsion	Screw propeller
Speed	13 knots
Capacity	598 Passengers 62 First Class 36 Second Class 90 Third Class 410 Steerage
Crew	183

Construction and maiden voyage

SS Oslo was constructed in 1906 with yard no. 515 at the Earle's Shipbuilding & Engineering Co. shipyard in Hull, United Kingdom. She was launched on 9 April 1906 and finally completed on 19 May 1906. She departed on her maiden voyage on the Kristiania (Oslo) - Kristiansand - Hull service on 25 May 1906.

Ship characteristics

Oslo's tonnage was 2,296 GRT, 2,035 GRT under deck and 1.427 net. The ship was 88.4 metres (290 ft 0 in) long, with a beam of 11.9 metres (39 ft 1 in) and a depth of 7.7 metres (25 ft 3 in), and a forecastle of 10.9 metres (35 ft 9 in) long. She had one funnel, two masts, steel construction and a single screw, 2 decks, water ballast, and was fitted with electric light.

The ship was propelled by a triple expansion engine 3 cylinders of 0.55 metres (1 ft 10 in), 0.9 metres (2 ft 11 in) & 1.52 metres (5 ft 0 in) diameter. On sea trials on 12 May 1906, she achieved a speed of 13½ miles (13 knots). Respectively; stroke 1.06 metres (3 ft 6 in). The engine was rated at 233 nhp, it was built by the same company as the hull.

There was accommodation for 95 1st class, 32 2nd class and 90 3rd class passengers in permanent accommodation, with provision for about 410 other steerage in temporary berths.

Routes

The ship was built specially for the Christiania route. But from 1911 onward SS Oslo was also engaged on other Norwegian routes, and was seen several times on the Trondheim - Hull service. The last departure that SS Oslo made from Christiania was on 20 March 1915.

Earlier Incident and sinking

SS Oslo survived one attack in October 1915 by outrunning her assailant and making it safely to her destination.

On 21 August 1917, Oslo was en route from Trondheim, Norway to Liverpool, United Kingdom while carrying passengers and a cargo of copper ore. Oslo was struck by a torpedo from SM U-87 in the North Sea, 15 nautical miles (28 km) east by north of the Out Skerries, Shetland Islands. The ship sank to a depth of over 88 metres (289 ft).