RMS Ivernia Archival Collection

RMS Ivernia Dimensions: Length, 600 Feet.- Beam, 64 Feet, 6 Inches, 14,058 Tons 10,000 Horse-Power. GGA Image ID # 131a0f0d0e

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• Ivernia (1900) Cunard Line
• Ivernia (1955) Cunard Line
• Passenger Lists
• Publications
• Brochures
• Menus
• Passage Contracts, Tickets, and Receipts
• Sailing Schedules
• Route Maps, Track Charts, Abstract of Logs
• Passage Rates
• Excerpts from Information for Passengers
• Other Ephemera
• Photographs
• Books
• The Sinking of the Ivernia - 1920

 

Ivernia (1900) Cunard Line

Built by Swan & Hunter, Ltd., Newcastle, England. Tonnage: 14,210. Dimensions: 580' x 64' (600' o.l.). Twin-screw, 16 knots. Quadruple expansion engines. Four masts and one funnel. Her very tall funnel was 106 feet high from the deck level. Maiden voyage: Liverpool-New York, April 14, 1900. Service: Liverpool -- Boston -- New York. Transferred to Trieste-New York trade in 1912. Passengers: 164 first, 200 second, 1,600 third. Fate: Torpedoed and sunk 58 miles from Cape Matapan, January 1, 1917, with the loss of 36 lives. Sister ship: Saxonia. Cost: Each cost about $1,600,000 to build.

Ivernia (1955) Cunard Line

Built by John Brown & Co., Clydebank, Glasgow, Scotland. Tonnage: 21,717. Dimensions: 570' x 80' (608' o.l.). Twin- screw, 21 knots. Four steam turbines. Single mast and one funnel. Launched: December 14, 1954. Passengers: 110 first and 800 tourist. Maiden voyage: Scotland-Quebec-Montreal, July 1, 1955. Also has been used in New York service. Sister ships: Carinthia, Saxonia and Sylvania.

 

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Passenger Lists

 

 

1901-10-01 RMS Ivernia Passenger List

Saloon Passenger List from the RMS Ivernia of the Cunard Line, Departing Tuesday, 1 October 1901 from Liverpool to Boston, Commanded by Captain J. B. Watt.

 

 

1905-06-20 RMS Ivernia Passenger List

Saloon Passenger List for the RMS Ivernia of the Cunard Line, Departing 20 June 1905 from Liverpool to Boston. Commander not Stated. Récapitulation: 72 First Class, 130 Second Class, 796 Steerage/Third Class, 998 Total Passengers, 255 Crew Members, 1,253 Souls on Board.

 

 

1908-07-15 SS Ivernia Passenger List

Saloon Passenger List for the SS Ivernia of the Cunard Line, Departing Wednesday, 15 July 1908 from Boston to Liverpool. Commander not Stated. Récapitulation: 122 First Class, 266 Second Class, 301 Steerage/Third Class, 265 Crew Members, 954 Souls on Board.

 

 

1909-05-18 RMS Ivernia Passenger List

Second Cabin Passenger List for the 18 May 1909 RMS Ivernia of the Cunard Line from Liverpool to Boston, Commanded by Captain H. M. Benison.

 

 

1910-05-24 RMS Ivernia Passenger List

Second Cabin Passenger List for the RMS Ivernia of the Cunard Line, Departing Tuesday, 24 May 1910 from Liverpool to Boston, Commanded by Captain Thomas Potter.

 

 

1956-07-11 RMS Ivernia Passenger List

Tourist Class Passenger List from the RMS Ivernia of the Cunard Line, Departing 11 July 1956 from Liverpool to Montreal via Quebec, Commanded by Captain J. W. Caunce, RD, RNR.

 

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Publications

 

 

1905-06-28 Cunard Daily Bulletin, Ivernia Edition

Daily newspaper published onboard for the westbound voyage of the Cunard Steamship RMS Ivernia that departed from Liverpool on 20 June 1905 with 998 Passengers and 255 Crew Members. 24 Pages Total.

 

 

1908-07-22 Cunard Daily Bulletin - SS Ivernia Edition

Cunard Daily Bulletin, SS Ivernia Edition, provided readers with plenty of advertisements, short stories, Saloon Passenger List for this voyage, Marconigrams, View of the Enquiry Bureau onboard the RMS Carmania and Caronia, and a Photograph of the RMS Ivernia.

 

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Brochures

 

 

1902 - The Story of the Cunard Line

Cunard Steamship Company, Limited, one of the oldest and most famous of British steam navigation undertakings elected to remain independent and outside the scope of the great Trust. This is their Story as published by BUSINESS ILLUSTRATED. December 1902. Lavishly Illustrated including Interior Photographs. Ships Featured: Britannia, Scotia, Russia, Servia, Umbria, Etruria, Campania, Lucania, Ivernia, Saxonia.

 

 

1910-03-21 Famous Cunarders

8-Page Booklet/Leaflet from 1910 titled "Famous Cunarders" provided an illustrated introduction to their "A"-List Cunard fleet including the Campania, Carmania & Caronia, Carpathia, Lusitania & Mauretania, Pannonia, and the Saxonia & Ivernia.

 

 

Cunard Passenger Log Book - 1913

Rare Third-Class Accommodation on Cunard Liners featuring interior and exterior photographs of the ships and accommodations for third class/steerage passengers. Undated brochure circa 1913. Its contents were meant to entice the immigrants to book passage to the New World. Ships Featured: Lusitania and Mauretania, Caronia and Carmania, Franconia and Laconia, Campania, Ivernia and Saxonia, and the Ascania.

 

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Menus

 

 

1902-06-30 RMS Ivernia Dinner Menu Card

Vintage Dinner Bill of Fare Card from Monday, 30 June 1902 on board the RMS Ivernia of the Cunard Line featured Beef Steak & Oyster Pie, Roast Pork – Stuffing -- Apple Sauce, and Sago Pudding for dessert. Reverse Side of Dinner Bill of Fare contains a Wine, Liqeur and Spirits Menu.

 

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Passage Contracts, Tickets, and Receipts

 

 

1905-03-11 Contract for Passage - Copenhagen to New York

Passenger Contract for Jens Julius Skafte of Denmark for a 1905 voyage to America on the RMS Ivernia of the Cunard Line. The contract indicated that he was headed for Albert Lea, Minnesota as his final destination.

 

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Sailing Schedules

 

Sailing Schedule, Liverpool-New York Service, Liverpool-Boston Service, and Hungarian-American Service, from 31 May 1904 to 2 August 1904. Ships Included the Aurania, Etruria, Ivernia, Lucania, Pannonia, Saxonia, Slavonia, Sylvania, Ultonia, and Umbria. In October. 1903, the "Aurania" and "Carpathia" inaugurated the Now York and Mediterranean Service. This Service is now continued by the fine Twin-Screw Steamers "Slavonia," " Pannonia" and " Ultonia." The ports of call are Trieste and Fiume in the Adriatic, and Palermo and Naples In the Mediterranean. An Atlantic Fleet List is Also Provided. RMS Etruria Passenger List, 11 June 1904. GGA Image ID # 1e6ebbe24c

 

Proposed Sailings, Liverpool-Queenstown (Cobh)-New York, New York-Mediterranean-Adriatic, and Liverpool-Queenstown (Cobh)-Boston, from 20 September 1904 to 3 January 1905. Ships Included the Campania, Carpathia, Etruria, Ivernia, Lucania, Pannonia, Saxonia, Slavonia, Sylvania, Ultonia, and Umbria. SS Carpathia Passenger List, 4 October 1904. GGA Image ID # 1e18ccfaad

 

Sailing Schedule, Liverpool-New York and Boston Services, from 25 March 1908 to 11 August 1908. Ships Included the Campania, Carmania, Caronia, Etruria, Ivernia, Lucania, Lusitania, Mauretania, Saxonia, Sylvania, and Umbria. The Sylvania is a Freight Steamer and Does Not Carry Passengers. RMS Mauretania Passenger List, 11 April 1908. GGA Image ID # 1e3195b748

 

Proposed Sailings, Liverpool-Boston Service, Liverpool-New York Service, and Hungarian-American Service Covering 18 May 1909 to 11 September 1909. Ships Include the Campania, Carmania, Caronia, Carpathia, Ivernia, Lucania, Lusitania, Mauretania, Pannonia, Saxonia, Slavonia, and Ultonia. It also contains the Cunard Atlantic Fleet List. RMS Ivernia Passenger List, 18 May 1909. GGA Image ID # 1dc96786d6

 

Proposed Sailings, Liverpool-New York Service, Liverpool-Boston Service, and Hugarian-American Service from 23 March 1911. Ships Include the Campania, Carmania, Caronia, Carpathia, Franconia, Ivernia, Lusitania, Mauretania, Pannonia, Saxonia, and Ultonia. RMS Caronia Passenger List, 1 April 1911. GGA Image ID # 1dc9aa5170

 

Cunard Liverpool-New York and Boston Services. Sailing Schedule from 18 July 1911 to 16 January 1912. Ships Include the Caronia, Mauretania, Lusitania, Carmania, Campania, Franconia, Saxonia, and Ivernia. GGA Image ID # 1db72eac98

 

Proposed Sailings, Liverpool-New York Service, Liverpool-Boston Service, and Hungarian-American Service from 2 March 1912 to 6 August 1912. Ships Include the Campania, Carmania, Caronia, Carpathia, Franconia, Ivernia, Laconia, Lusitania, Mauretania, Pannonia, and Saxonia. RMS Caronia Passenger List, 30 March 1912. GGA Image ID # 1dc9e8927c

 

Cunard Hungarian-American Service Sailing Schedule from 2 May 1912 to 16 October 1912. Ships Include the Carpathia, Ivernia, Pannonia, and Saxonia. MEDITERRANEAN CRUISE.—On the 15th February. 1913. the new Twin-Screw Steamer Laconia " will sail from New York to the Mediterranean under charter to Mr. F. C Clark. Full particulars will be announced later. GGA Image ID # 1dbc920ba4

 

Proposed Sailings Liverpool-New York Service, Liverpool-Boston Service, and Hungarian-American Service from 9 November 1912 to 11 March 1913. Ships Include Campania, Carmania, Caronia, Carpathia, Franconia, Ivernia, Laconia, Lusitania, Mauretania, Pannonia, Saxonia, and Ultonia. SS Carmania Passenger List, 23 November 1912. GGA Image ID # 1dc95f6c98

 

Cunard Liverpool-New York Service from 6 September 1913 to 7 February 1914. Ships Included the Campania, Carmania, Caronia, Ivernia, Lusitania, and Mauretania. RMS Carmania Passenger List, 23 September 1913. GGA Image ID # 1dcaadfa74

 

Cunard Liverpool-Boston Service from 2 September 1913 to 21 April 1914. Ships Included the Alaunia, Andania, Francoia, Ivernia, Laconia, and Ultonia. RMS Carmania Passenger List, 23 September 1913. GGA Image ID # 1dcaaf02a5

 

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Route Maps, Track Charts, Abstract of Logs

 

Back Cover, Cunard RMS Ivernia Track Chart - 1 October 1901. GGA Image ID # 11c789edb8

 

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Passage Rates

 

 

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Excerpts from Information for Passengers

 

Steamer Chairs may be hired from the Deck Steward at a cost of 4/- for the voyage.

Valuables and money should be deposited with the Purser, who will give a receipt for same on the Company's form.

Information as to the methods of Customs Inspection at Boston, dutiable articles and rate of duty thereon, can be obtained from the Purser.

RMS Ivernia Passenger List - 1 October 1901

Choral Service was held in the Saloon on Sunday at 10:30 am There was a good attendance, and at the close a collection was made in aid of the Seamen's Charities of Liverpool and Boston. Amount realised £7 10s. 8d.

Passengers are urged not to leave any Articles of Value about the Saloon, Staterooms, or elsewhere, especially before the departure of the Steamer. Money, Jewellery, or other Valuables should be deposited with the Purser for safe keeping.

RMS Ivernia Passenger List - 15 July 1908

Gentlemen are requested not to smoke in the Saloons, Staterooms, or Companion-ways.

The Second Cabin Steward has the arrangement of the seats at the table.

The Purser is authorized to exchange money at the following rates. He will give American money for English at $4.80 to the pound sterling and English money for U.S. Currency at £1 sterling for $4.95.

RMS Ivernia Passenger List -- 18 May 1909

Seats at Table.—Application may be made at any of the Chief Offices, or to the Second Cabin Steward on board the steamer.

Divine Service on Sunday at 10:30 am

Passengers should obtain a receipt on the Company's Form for any additional Passage Money or Freight paid on board.

The Surgeon is authorized to make customary charges, subject to the approval of the Commander, for treating any Passengers at their request for any illness not originating on board the ship. In the case of sickness contracted on board no charge will be made and medicine will be provided free.

Arrivals at Liverpool—Time of Landing Passengers.—

When any of the Company's steamers arrive alongside the Liverpool Landing Stage after 8:00 pm it is optional for the Passengers, to go on shore that night. In the event, however, of their remaining on board, they will be landed after breakfast the following morning, either at the Stage or in dock as circumstances may make desirable.

When the vessel reaches the river but does not come alongside the Stage, to prevent inconvenience and to meet emergencies, any Passengers desirous of disembarking will on arrival of the steamer be landed, with hand baggage only, by tender, provided that the Purser is advised immediately after departure from Queenstown of the passenger's wish to do so. Notice will be placed in the Companionway on arrival at Queenstown advising Passengers of anticipated arrival at Liverpool, and arrangements for landing.

Arrivals in Boston.—When any of the Company's steamers arrive at the Wharf after 8:00 pm, Passengers have the option of remaining on board over night and landing after Breakfast the following morning.

The "IVERNIA" carries an orchestra of highly-trained musicians, which will play at the undermentioned times and places :—

• Second Class Dining Saloon : 10:30 to 11:30 a.m
• First Class Dining Saloon : 1:00 to 2:00 p.m
• Second Class Dining Saloon : 3:00 to 4:00 p.m
• First Class Dining Saloon : 7:10 to 8:10 p.m
• First Class Dining Saloon : 9:00 to 10:00 pm

This arrangement may be altered as circumstances necessitate.

RMS Ivernia Passenger List -- 24 May 1910

 

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Other Ephemera

 

American & British Lights, 1909. Back Cover of an RMS Ivernia Second Cabin Passenger List from 18 May 1909. GGA Image ID # 159e64275a

 

Cunard Line Atlantic Services and Fleet List with Tonnage and Assigned Commanders, 1911. Ships Included the Albania, Aquitania, Ascania, Ausonia, Campania, Carmania, Caronia, Carpathia, Franconia, Ivernia, Laconia, Lusitania, Mauretania, Pannonia, Saxonia, and Ultonia. RMS Franconia Passenger List, 8 August 1911. GGA Image ID # 1e8030fb50

 

Cunard Line Atlantic Services and Fleet List with Tonnage and Assigned Commanders, 1912. Ships Include the Alaunia, Albania, Andania, Aquitania, Ascania, Ausonia, Campania, Carmania, Caronia, Carpathia, Franconia, Ivernia, Laconia, Lusitania, Mauretania, Pannonia, Saxonia, and Ultonia. RMS Caronia Passenger List, 30 March 1912. GGA Image ID # 1dc9ece700

 

Painting of the Cunard Line RMS Ivernia - 11 July 1956. GGA Image ID # 172faae792

 

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Photographs

 

The Grand Dining Saloon of the Steamers Ivernia and the Saxonia Showing Interior of the Dome. GGA Image ID # 11907a8ad1

 

Additional Second Cabin and Third Class Accommodations Typically Found on Cunard Steamships. GGA Image ID # 1190d08541

Image Captions (L to R, T to B)

• Second-Class Dining Saloon : Umbria and Etruria
• Second Cabin Two-Berth Room : Ivernia and Saxonia
• Second Cabin Smoke Room : Umbria and Etruria
• Second Cabin Four-Berth Room: Umbria and Etruria
• Third-Class Smoke Room: Ivernia and Saxonia
• Third-Class Dining Room on the Ultonia

 

RMS Saxonia and RMS Ivernia. Length: 600 Feet. Breadth: 64 Feet, 3 Inches. Tonnage: 14, 058 (Ivernia); 14,280 (Saxonia). GGA Image ID # 118ba12cc0

 

RMS Ivernia and RMS Saxonia of the Cunard Line. GGA Image ID # 118ebef372

 

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Books

 

 

The First Great Ocean Liners in Photographs - 1983

Sumptuous volume recalls the glorious early years of elegant transatlantic travel. Over 190 historic photographs depict exterior and interior views of 101 great ocean liners, including the Virginian, Imperator, Vaterland, Bismarck, Lusitania, Mauretania, Balmoral Castle, Titanic, Olympic, Aquitania and dozens more. Full captions.

 

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The Sinking of the Ivernia - 1920

Torpedoing of the SS Ivernia (1900). A Merchant Fleet at War, 1920. GGA Image ID # 1e2199c151

 

On the morning of the 28th December, 1916, the Ivernia left Marseilles with a crew of 213, 94 officers and 1,950 troops. Shortly after her departure from Marseilles Captain Turner received orders to proceed 11 miles south of Damietta43 (Malta), but prior to altering course he received further orders to proceed north of Gozo Island (Malta), where the Ivernia's escort, H.M.S. Camelia (Destroyer), was relieved by H.M.S. Rifleman (Destroyer).

 

Scene on Board After Torpedoing of the SS Ivernia. A Merchant Fleet at War, 1920. GGA Image ID # 1e22052611

On approaching the Adriatic, Captain Turner was instructed not to pass through the danger zone in daylight. As the Ivernia was proceeding she received a signal from the escort that permission had been requested and granted from the Admiralty at Malta to proceed through the danger zone at daybreak.

There was a fresh breeze which accounted for a heavy swell, the morning sun was shining brightly on the starboard side, when Captain Turner observed the wake of a torpedo approaching his vessel, too late to enable him to do anything to avoid it.

 

Another Scene on Board After Torpedoing of the SS Ivernia. A Merchant Fleet at War, 1920. GGA Image ID # 1e2268486b

 

The torpedo struck the Ivernia on the starboard side, abreast the funnel, and consequently rendered the engines out of commission, owing to the bursting of the steam pipe, by the explosion. This explosion accounted for the loss of 13 stewards and 9 firemen.

Fortunately, at the time, all troops were mustered on deck and were standing by boat stations. The boats were immediately lowered clear of the water.

The destroyer Rifleman immediately manœuvred for the purpose of locating the submarine, by which time several of the Ivernia's boats were in the water. At this juncture an unfortunate incident occurred.

 

SS Ivernia Survivors Afloat on Raft. A Merchant Fleet at War, 1920. GGA Image ID # 1e22b657c8

 

The destroyer dashed by the port quarter at full speed without having an opportunity of avoiding a collision with the ship's lifeboat, containing Chief Engineer Wilson and Dr. Parker, among other members of the crew, the boat sinking immediately. Dr. Parker was picked up but died almost immediately from injuries received. Chief Engineer Wilson was not seen.

Two steam trawlers came alongside the Ivernia, after the destroyer had left with 600 survivors on board, which took the remainder of the Military and Crew, which apparently left only Captain Turner and Second Officer Leggett remaining on board.

 

Survivors of the SS Ivernia Sinking Taking In One of the Lifeboats. A Merchant Fleet at War, 1920. GGA Image ID # 1e22bf518d

 

The Second Officer, however, went round the decks and discovered a soldier on the after deck who had sustained a broken thigh.

Two soldiers were immediately ordered aboard for the purpose of assisting in strapping a board to the man's damaged thigh, he being eventually lowered on to one of the trawlers by means of a bowline, where he was placed in charge of the R.A.M.C.

The Second Officer then went aboard the trawler, later followed by Captain Turner, who first of all made sure that the vessel was sinking.

The trawlers then cruised around among the boats and wreckage picking up survivors.

One of the trawlers unfortunately became disabled owing to the ropes fouling her propellers, which necessitated her being towed by the other.

 

SS Ivernia Survivors Arriving in Port. A Merchant Fleet at War, 1920. GGA Image ID # 1e23288b75

 

The trawlers proceeded to Crete, where the survivors were billeted for 14 days, after which time they were taken on board the P. & O. s.s. Kalyan and conveyed to Marseilles, from which port they were sent overland to England.

Archibald Hurd, A Merchant Fleet at War, London-New York-Toronto-Melbourne: Cassell and Company, Ltd., 1920, pp. 44-45.