H.M.H.S Maine
HMHS Maine. 17/06/1914
Displacement: 2890 grt.
Length: 96m. Beam: 12.3 m. Draught: 6.2 m.
Propulsion: 1 x 3-cyl. triple expansion engine, single shaft, 1 screw
Machinery: Central Marine Engineering Works Ltd.
Complement:
Displacement: 2890 grt.
Length: 96m. Beam: 12.3 m. Draught: 6.2 m.
Propulsion: 1 x 3-cyl. triple expansion engine, single shaft, 1 screw
Machinery: Central Marine Engineering Works Ltd.
Complement:
SS Maine was built as the SS Swansea in 1887 By William Gray & Co, Hartlepool. The ship was 2890 tons, 96m long and was built for the passenger, cargo, cattle trade. Originally owned by the Baltimore Storage & Lighterage Co. Ltd, London. In 1888 she was purchased by the Maine SS Co. Ltd, London and renamed SS Maine.
In 1891 SS Maine was loaned the American Ladies Hospital Ship Society and refitted as a hospital ship, for use in the Boar War in South African.
In 1914 SS Main became the HMHS Maine.
In 1891 SS Maine was loaned the American Ladies Hospital Ship Society and refitted as a hospital ship, for use in the Boar War in South African.
In 1914 SS Main became the HMHS Maine.
The Loss
HMHS Maine aground on Mull. Photo: Illustrated London News - Saturday 04 July 1914
Lancashire Evening Post - Wednesday 17 June 1914
HOSPITAL SHIP MAINE GOES ASHORE IN FIRTH OF LORNE. , SAFETY OF THE PATIENTS AND CREW.
A message from Queenstown says:- intelligence has been received here that H.M. hospital ship Maine is ashore in the Firth of Lorne. Crew and patients have been transferred to boats. Information received through Malin Head that assistance is required. The Press Association says information has been received at the Admiralty confirming the Queenstown message that the naval hospital ship Maine has gone whore in the Firth of Lorne, and that all the patients aboard and the crew are safe The Maine was attached to a portion of the Home Fleet, now cruising off the West of Scotland, and went ashore about two o'clock this morning. The first information came through a wireless signal station in the sout4 of Ireland, but up to eleven o'clock the Admiralty had received no details as to the exact locality or the circumstances under which the Maine went ashore. It is presumed that the weather was thick, and that the mishap happened in a narrow Part of the Firth. The Maine was formerly an American steamer. Vice-Admiral Sir Charles Coke, at Queenstown, has received information through the Cunarder Carmania, in the Irish Sea, that the Maine is ashore at Colonsay, about 30 miles south of Oban. The Maine's crew and patients were placed in boats. Warships have been dispatched to the scene of the accident to render assistance. Vice-Admiral Coke has dispatched torpedo-boat destroyers from Bangor, co. Down, to the assistance of the crew and patients of the stranded hospital ship Maine. There is reason to fear that the ship will become a total wreck. An Oban message states that the Maine ran aground on a rock off the island of Mull, during a fog. On the information of the mishap reaching Oban, the steamer Princess Louise sailed to the Maine's assistance. On reaching the hospital ship she found several destroyers and a cruiser in attendance. The Maine was damaged about the bows. Some of the patients had already been landed on the island of Mull, and placed under canvas. The Princess Louise Was informed that her services were not required.
HOSPITAL SHIP MAINE GOES ASHORE IN FIRTH OF LORNE. , SAFETY OF THE PATIENTS AND CREW.
A message from Queenstown says:- intelligence has been received here that H.M. hospital ship Maine is ashore in the Firth of Lorne. Crew and patients have been transferred to boats. Information received through Malin Head that assistance is required. The Press Association says information has been received at the Admiralty confirming the Queenstown message that the naval hospital ship Maine has gone whore in the Firth of Lorne, and that all the patients aboard and the crew are safe The Maine was attached to a portion of the Home Fleet, now cruising off the West of Scotland, and went ashore about two o'clock this morning. The first information came through a wireless signal station in the sout4 of Ireland, but up to eleven o'clock the Admiralty had received no details as to the exact locality or the circumstances under which the Maine went ashore. It is presumed that the weather was thick, and that the mishap happened in a narrow Part of the Firth. The Maine was formerly an American steamer. Vice-Admiral Sir Charles Coke, at Queenstown, has received information through the Cunarder Carmania, in the Irish Sea, that the Maine is ashore at Colonsay, about 30 miles south of Oban. The Maine's crew and patients were placed in boats. Warships have been dispatched to the scene of the accident to render assistance. Vice-Admiral Coke has dispatched torpedo-boat destroyers from Bangor, co. Down, to the assistance of the crew and patients of the stranded hospital ship Maine. There is reason to fear that the ship will become a total wreck. An Oban message states that the Maine ran aground on a rock off the island of Mull, during a fog. On the information of the mishap reaching Oban, the steamer Princess Louise sailed to the Maine's assistance. On reaching the hospital ship she found several destroyers and a cruiser in attendance. The Maine was damaged about the bows. Some of the patients had already been landed on the island of Mull, and placed under canvas. The Princess Louise Was informed that her services were not required.
Evening Mail - Friday 19 June 1914
HOSPITAL SHIP ASHORE.
PATIENTS LANDED FROM THE MAINE.
JUNE 18.
The Admiralty hospital ship Maine ran aground yesterday morning, in foggy weather, on a rock at the south end of the Isle of Mull, which is some 24 miles from Oban. No lives were lost. News of the accident was sent by wireless from Malin to Rosyth, and thence by telephone to Oban. When the intelligence reached Oban. the Princess Louise, an Oban excursion steamer, at once set out for Mull to render any assistance necessary. On arrival she found several destroyers from the North of Ireland and a cruiser standing by, and was signaled that her services were not required and she returned to Oban. The captain reported that the Maine seemed to be damaged at the bows, which were covered with tarpaulin to the water's edge. It was also stated that two of the destroyers were fast to the stern of the Maine and that the patients had been landed on the mainland, where they were accommodated under canvas. When the fog lifted the day was exceptionally warm and sunny. • Under orders from the Admiralty two powerful screw tugs were dispatched from Greenock about 5 o'clock yesterday afternoon to render assistance to the Maine. The tugs will not arrive until to-day, when an attempt will be made to refloat the ship.
HOSPITAL SHIP ASHORE.
PATIENTS LANDED FROM THE MAINE.
JUNE 18.
The Admiralty hospital ship Maine ran aground yesterday morning, in foggy weather, on a rock at the south end of the Isle of Mull, which is some 24 miles from Oban. No lives were lost. News of the accident was sent by wireless from Malin to Rosyth, and thence by telephone to Oban. When the intelligence reached Oban. the Princess Louise, an Oban excursion steamer, at once set out for Mull to render any assistance necessary. On arrival she found several destroyers from the North of Ireland and a cruiser standing by, and was signaled that her services were not required and she returned to Oban. The captain reported that the Maine seemed to be damaged at the bows, which were covered with tarpaulin to the water's edge. It was also stated that two of the destroyers were fast to the stern of the Maine and that the patients had been landed on the mainland, where they were accommodated under canvas. When the fog lifted the day was exceptionally warm and sunny. • Under orders from the Admiralty two powerful screw tugs were dispatched from Greenock about 5 o'clock yesterday afternoon to render assistance to the Maine. The tugs will not arrive until to-day, when an attempt will be made to refloat the ship.
Daily News (London) - Monday 22 June 1914
ABANDONMENT OF THE MAINE.
It has been decided by the Admiralty authorities to abandon the efforts to salve the hospital ship Maine, which grounded off the of Mull last week. This course was adopted in view of the age and present value of the Maine and after consideration of the probable cost of salving the ship and towing her to a port for repairs, together with the heavy, expenditure that would necessarily be incurred in making her seaworthy. The Maine was subscribed for by the women of America and presented to the nation by the Atlantic Transport Company during the Boer War. To preserve these memories the Mediator, which is now fitting out as an additional hospital ship, will be completed as soon as possible and re-named Maine.
ABANDONMENT OF THE MAINE.
It has been decided by the Admiralty authorities to abandon the efforts to salve the hospital ship Maine, which grounded off the of Mull last week. This course was adopted in view of the age and present value of the Maine and after consideration of the probable cost of salving the ship and towing her to a port for repairs, together with the heavy, expenditure that would necessarily be incurred in making her seaworthy. The Maine was subscribed for by the women of America and presented to the nation by the Atlantic Transport Company during the Boer War. To preserve these memories the Mediator, which is now fitting out as an additional hospital ship, will be completed as soon as possible and re-named Maine.
The Wreck
IN . Wreck card 2742was created in 1914. The entry stated the wreck had been sold on 6.7.14 ''presumably for breaking''. the wreck was added to charts BA 2813 & 2515 in position 561838N, 055020W as wreck PA WRECK (1914).
1951, a survey from HMS Franklin found no evidence of the wreck and it was then deleted from the chart.
In 1969 there was a request to purchase the wreck by B A Simmonds, who had located the wreck scattered over a wide area a large portion of the wreck was believed to have slipped into deeper water.
!n 1974 some wreckage was reported as being on the shore in position 561838N, 055020W by D Haygreen of Hydro Ergonomic Designs Ltd.
The above entry was then deleted when Lt Cdr Heap reported that, at low water springs, no wreckage could be seen from a nearby anchorage to the south east.
1983 P Camilli reported majority of the wreck underwater but some remains visible onshore in position 561840N, 055018W.
1992 wreck added to chart as wreck that dries.
2006 charted position 5618.624N, 0550.397W
1951, a survey from HMS Franklin found no evidence of the wreck and it was then deleted from the chart.
In 1969 there was a request to purchase the wreck by B A Simmonds, who had located the wreck scattered over a wide area a large portion of the wreck was believed to have slipped into deeper water.
!n 1974 some wreckage was reported as being on the shore in position 561838N, 055020W by D Haygreen of Hydro Ergonomic Designs Ltd.
The above entry was then deleted when Lt Cdr Heap reported that, at low water springs, no wreckage could be seen from a nearby anchorage to the south east.
1983 P Camilli reported majority of the wreck underwater but some remains visible onshore in position 561840N, 055018W.
1992 wreck added to chart as wreck that dries.
2006 charted position 5618.624N, 0550.397W
UKHO
