SS Fürst Bismarck (1905)

The second Fürst Bismarck was an ocean liner of 8,332 gross tons built in Glasgow by the Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Company for the Hamburg America Line. Launched on 22 March 1905, the vessel made her maiden voyage between Hamburg and New York, (with stops at Dover and Boulogne) on 19 August of the same year.

SS Fürst Bismarck docked in Mexico
History
German Empire
Name: Fürst Bismarck
Owner: Hamburg America Line
Route: Hamburg–New York
Builder: Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Company, Glasgow
Launched: 22 March 1905
Maiden voyage: 19 August 1905
In service: 1905
Renamed: 1914, Friedrichsruh
Homeport: Hamburg
Fate: Surrendered to United Kingdom, 1919
United Kingdom
Name: unknown
Acquired: 1919
Fate: Sold to France, c. 1922
France
Name: Amboise
Acquired: 1922
Fate: Scrapped at Genoa, Italy, 1935
General characteristics
Type: Ocean liner
Tonnage: 8322 gross tons
Length: 469.2ft
Beam: 55.1ft

The launch of the Bismarck 1905 was captured by an operator-technician using a Lumiere Brothers Cinématographe.[1]

On June 7, 1914, the ship's captain made an unexpected stop in New Orleans, to take on miscellaneous freight, while en route to Mexico, giving rise to rumors that it was transporting munitions. She carried no passengers on this trip and spent three days at the Port of New Orleans, loading nearly 3000 tons of materials from warehouses believed to be housing ammunition and military supplies.[2] When the ship left three days later, the rumor had been denied by the captain.[3]

The vessel was renamed Friedrichsruh in 1914.[4]

In 1919, Friedrichsruh was surrendered to Britain (presumably as a result of the Versailles Treaty). She was scrapped at Genoa in 1935.

References

  1. Fürst Bismarck launching (screen shots), Luminere Brothers Image Gallery
  2. "LINER GOING FOR HUERTA?; Fuerst Bismarck Reaches New Orleans -- May Take On Arms Cargo", New York Times, p. 2, June 7, 1914
  3. "FUERST BISMARCK SAILS; But Is Believed to be Carrying No Arms to Puerto Mexico", New York Times, p. 2, June 10, 1914
  4. SS ''Fürst Bismarck, Norway Heritage website. Friedrichsruh is the location of Bismarck's grave.


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