March 15, 1888 at the shipyard of J & G Thompson in Scotland a legend was launched. The Inman liner City of New York slid down the ways and into the Clyde. A beautiful ship with a clipper bow and a cruiser stern, the City of New York would embark on an amazing career. It was not until 1923, 35 years later, that she would be scrapped, but in between she served as one of the best loved passenger ships on the north Atlantic. She also served the United States Navy under two names in two wars. While she was once one of the fastest ships on the high seas, winning the Blue Riband (eastbound only) her sister, The City of Paris was always just a bit faster.

Second in size only to the Great Eastern, the City of New York and her sister were the first twin screw liners ever built. She was also equipped with electric lights, hot and cold water and a ventilation system, very advanced for her time. Merging the old with the new. Four masts but twin screws, clipper bow and electricity. She had the looks of a sailing ship and the speed of a modern liner.

On April 10, 1912 the New York (the "City of" moniker was dropped when she was transferred to the USA) was at Southampton. As the largest liner in the world, the Titanic, was departing on her maiden voyage. The immense hydrodynamic forces from Titanic's screws caused the New York to break her moorings and begin drifting toward the Titanic. She was stopped in time and the Titanic continued on her way to oblivion. If the two had collided it might have delayed the Titanic and a great tragedy would have been avoided.

After serving as a passenger liner, armed auxiliary cruiser and a troopship, in 1923 the New York was
scrapped in Genoa, Italy.

© 2006 Michael W. Pocock
MaritimeQuest.com

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