# SS Mesaba (1898)

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British cargo liner sunk in 1918

For the SS Mesaba built in 1918, see [SS Delphic (1925)](/source/SS_Delphic_(1925)).

Mesaba at anchor in Gravesend Reach History United Kingdom Name 1898: Winifreda 1898: Mesaba Namesake 1898: Mesabi Range Owner 1898: Leyland Line 1898: Atlantic Transport Line Port of registry Liverpool Route London – New York Builder Harland & Wolff, Belfast Yard number 319 Laid down 1897 Launched 11 September 1897 Completed 17 February 1898 Maiden voyage 3 March 1898 Identification UK official number 109392 code letters PWSL by 1913: call sign MMV Fate sunk by torpedo, 1 September 1918 General characteristics Type livestock and passenger ship Tonnage 6,833 GRT, 4,423 NRT Length 482.1 ft (146.9 m) Beam 52.2 ft (15.9 m) Depth 31.6 ft (9.6 m) Decks 3 Installed power 1 × triple-expansion engine; 772 NHP; 4,300 ihp Propulsion 1 × screw Sail plan 4-masted schooner Speed 14 knots (26 km/h) Capacity 120 × 1st class passengers plus 800 × cattle plus 24,569 cubic feet (696 m3) refrigerated cargo Sensors & processing systems by 1910: submarine signalling Notes one of five sister ships

**SS *Mesaba*** was a [UK](/source/United_Kingdom_of_Great_Britain_and_Ireland) [transatlantic](/source/Transatlantic_crossing) [cargo liner](/source/Cargo_liner). She was launched in Ireland in 1897 as ***Winifreda***, and made her maiden voyage to [New York](/source/Port_of_New_York_and_New_Jersey) in 1898. Later that year she changed owners, and was renamed *Mesaba*.

The ship was designed to carry 120 [first class](/source/First_class_travel) passengers and 800 cattle, and to cross the North Atlantic in ten days. She was built for [Leyland Line](/source/Leyland_Line), for use in the [Wilson](/source/Thomas_Wilson_Sons_%26_Co.) and [Furness](/source/Christopher_Furness%2C_1st_Baron_Furness)-Leyland Line (W&FL) joint service. However, within months of her completion, [Atlantic Transport Line](/source/Atlantic_Transport_Line) (ATL) bought her. She spent almost her entire career in ATL ownership.

In 1909, ATL took delivery of the new liner [*Minnewaska*](/source/SS_Minnewaska_(1908)), and relegated *Mesaba* to be held in reserve. In 1912, *Mesaba* sent a [wireless telegraph](/source/Wireless_telegraphy) signal to RMS *[Titanic](/source/Titanic)*, warning her of sea ice. On three occasions between 1912 and 1914, ATL loaned *Mesaba* to [Red Star Line](/source/Red_Star_Line).

In 1918, a [German](/source/German_Empire) [U-boat](/source/U-boat) sank *Mesaba* by torpedo in the [Irish Sea](/source/Irish_Sea), killing 20 members of her crew.

## A class of five cargo liners

The ship was the third of a [class](/source/Ship_class) of five single-[screw](/source/Propeller) [steamships](/source/Steamship) built for members of the Wilson and Furness-Leyland Line (W&FL) in 1897 and 1898. Previous W&FL ships had all been purely [cargo ships](/source/Cargo_ship) to carry livestock. The five new ships were each designed to carry more than 100 passengers, all in [first class](/source/First_class_travel) berths.

The first ship was *Alexandra*, launched by [Alexander Stephen and Sons](/source/Alexander_Stephen_and_Sons) in [Glasgow](/source/Glasgow) on 3 August 1897.[1] Next was *Victoria*, launched by [Furness, Withy & Co](/source/Furness_Withy) in [West Hartlepool](/source/West_Hartlepool) on 31 August.[2] The third was built by [Harland & Wolff](/source/Harland_%26_Wolff) in [Belfast](/source/Belfast) as yard number 319, on slipway number 7. She was launched on 11 September 1897 as *Winifreda*, and completed on 17 February 1898.[3] A Stephen and Sons also built *[Boadicea](/source/SS_Marquette_(1897))*, which was launched on 25 November 1897.[4] The final ship of the class to be built was *[Cleopatra](/source/SS_Mohegan)*, which was launched by [Earle's Shipbuilding](/source/Earle's_Shipbuilding) in [Hull](/source/Kingston_upon_Hull) on 6 April 1898.[5]

## Building and registration

*Winifreda*'s registered length was 482.1 ft (146.9 m), her [beam](/source/Beam_(nautical)) was 52.2 ft (15.9 m); and her depth was 31.6 ft (9.6 m).[6] She had first class berths for 120 passengers, and her [holds](/source/Hold_(compartment)) could accommodate 800 head of cattle.[7] Her [tonnages](/source/Tonnage) were 6,833 [GRT](/source/Gross_register_tonnage) and 4,423 [NRT](/source/Net_register_tonnage). She had a single [screw](/source/Propeller), driven by a three-cylinder [triple-expansion engine](/source/Marine_steam_engine#Triple_or_multiple_expansion) that was rated at 772 [NHP](/source/Horsepower#Nominal_horsepower)[6] or 4,300 [ihp](/source/Horsepower#Indicated_horsepower),[8] and gave her a speed of 14 knots (26 km/h).[7] She had four [masts](/source/Mast_(sailing)), and was rigged as a [schooner](/source/Schooner).[6]

The ship was built with 24,569 cubic feet (696 m3) of her holds [refrigerated](/source/Reefer_ship). She had two [De La Vergne](/source/De_La_Vergne) single refrigerating plants, and one [Linde](/source/Carl_von_Linde) duplex refrigerating plant. Both used [ammonia](/source/Ammonia) as a coolant.[9] As early as 1899, she was recorded as loading cargo including "3,284 quarters of beef".[10]

*Winifreda*'s owner was Leyland Line, who registered her in [Liverpool](/source/Port_of_Liverpool). Her UK [official number](/source/Official_number) was 109392, and her [code letters](/source/Code_letters) were PWSL.[6] She began her maiden voyage on 3 March 1898.[11] Her regular route was between [London](/source/Port_of_London) and [New York](/source/Port_of_New_York_and_New_Jersey).[3]

## From *Winifreda* to *Mesaba*

While *Winifreda* was entering service, Atlantic Transport Line (ATL) was negotiating to buy her and all of her sisters from W&FL, including the uncompleted *Cleopatra*. Negotiations gained impetus after 21 April 1898, when the [Spanish–American War](/source/Spanish%E2%80%93American_War) began. ATL sold seven of its ships to the United States Government, and donated another as a [hospital ship](/source/Hospital_ship). In order to replace them, it increased its offer to W&FL to £968,000 for the five ships. The sale of the five ships, plus the W&FL's office in London and berth in New York, was finalised on 21 July.[12] After the sale, *Winifreda* made one more transatlantic trip to New York and back, before her new owners renamed her.[8]

ATL renamed all of the ships it bought from W&FL. *Alexandra* became *Menominee*; *Victoria* became *Manitou*; *Winifreda* became *Mesaba*; *Boadicea* became *Marquette*; and *Cleopatra* became *Mohegan*.[13] The [Menominee Range](/source/Menominee_Range), [Mesabi Range](/source/Mesabi_Range), and [Marquette Iron Range](/source/Marquette_Iron_Range) are all iron ore deposits around [Lake Superior](/source/Lake_Superior). All five ships remained registered in the UK.[12][14] *Mohegan* was wrecked and lost in October 1898.[8][12] The remaining four ships continued to run between London and New York, where they served a pier at the foot of West [Houston Street](/source/Houston_Street).[15][16]

## *Catania*

At 11:00 hrs on 29 December 1899, on an eastbound voyage from New York to London, *Mesaba* sighted the US-registered steamship *Catania* in distress in a gale at position [48°N 38°W / 48°N 38°W / 48; -38](https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?pagename=SS_Mesaba_(1898)&params=48_N_38_W_).[17][18][19]

A giant wave, estimated to be 50 feet (15 m) high, had hit *Catania* two days previously. It had carried away from everything from her decks, including her funnel and boats, and damaged part of her [superstructure](/source/Superstructure). It poured down ventilators and broke through hatches; reached her [stoke hold](/source/Fire_room); and put out the fires in her furnaces.[20] *Catania* signalled *Mesaba* to take her in tow. A boat from *Mesaba*, commanded by her [Chief Officer](/source/Chief_mate) and crewed by five men, tried to take a tow line from *Mesaba* to *Catania*, but was defeated by the heavy sea. The boat crew then tried to take a line from *Catania* to *Mesaba*, but was defeated by the weight of the line. Night then fell, preventing further attempts to secure a line between the two ships.[17][18][21]

*Mesaba* continued to stand by overnight, in order to try again at first light. However, the next day, *Catania* was no longer in sight. *Mesaba* searched until 09:00 hrs without finding *Catania*, and then resumed her eastbound voyage to London.[17][18] However, *Catania*'s crew pumped the water out of her holds; jury-rigged a temporary funnel from wood, sheet steel and canvas; and got her furnaces re-lit.[20] She resumed her voyage under her own power, and on 6 January 1899 reached [São Miguel Island](/source/S%C3%A3o_Miguel_Island) in the [Azores](/source/Azores).[22][23] There she spent more than a month receiving repairs, including a better improvised funnel, made mostly from ships' hull plates. On 14 February she reached New York under her own power.[20]

[*Columbia*](/source/Columbia_(1899_yacht)) and [*Shamrock*](/source/Shamrock_(yacht)), rivals in the [1899 America's Cup](/source/1899_America's_Cup).

## *Shamrock*

In August 1899, *Mesaba* brought to New York some of the sails and wooden spars for the new racing [yacht](/source/Yacht) [*Shamrock*](/source/Shamrock_(yacht)), which was to compete against [*Columbia*](/source/Columbia_(1899_yacht)) in the [1899 America's Cup](/source/1899_America's_Cup).[24] The sails and spars were transferred to [Erie Basin](/source/Erie_Basin_(Brooklyn)).[25]

## *Martello* and *Zeta*

On 22 September 1900, *Mesaba* was leaving New York for London when she was involved in a collision with Wilson Line's 3,721 [GRT](/source/Gross_register_tonnage) steamship *Martello*. *Mesaba* sustained only slight damage, but *Martello* had to return to port to be [dry docked](/source/Dry_dock) for extensive repairs.[26]

Later in the same voyage, *Mesaba* was involved in a second collision, this time with the 2,343 [GRT](/source/Gross_register_tonnage) steamship *Zeta*. *Zeta*'s [port](/source/Port_and_starboard) quarter was damaged. Both ships reached London safely on 3 October.[26]

## *Amanda*

On 1 February 1905, *Mesaba* sighted the British three-masted wooden schooner *Amanda* off the [Grand Banks of Newfoundland](/source/Grand_Banks_of_Newfoundland), heavily encrusted with ice, and flying her [Red Ensign](/source/Red_Ensign) inverted as a [distress signal](/source/Distress_signal). *Amanda* had left [St John's, Newfoundland](/source/St._John's%2C_Newfoundland_and_Labrador) on 24 January with cargo for [Salvador](/source/Port_of_Salvador), [Bahia](/source/Bahia). A northwesterly gale had swept *Amanda* off course, and she had sprung a leak. Her crew had worked for five days to pump the water out of her holds by hand, but the water level had risen. In addition, ice formed on her, so thick that it weighed her down along with the water entering her holds. The crew jettisoned her cargo, two anchors, and her anchor chains, but she had continued to sink.[27][28][29]

When *Mesaba* approached *Amanda*, there was a heavy sea, but the steamship launched two of her port boats, directed by her Chief Officer, and rescued *Amanda*'s captain and crew. The schooner would have formed a hazard to navigation, so *Amanda*'s [Master](/source/Master_mariner), [Captain](/source/Sea_captain) William Fitzgerald, set his ship on fire before being last to leave her and transfer to *Mesaba*. The steamship landed the schooner crew at New York on 6 February.[27][28][29]

## Modernisation

In April 1909, ATL took delivery of the new 14,000 [GRT](/source/Gross_register_tonnage) passenger liner *Minnewaska*. Thereafter, *Mesaba* was held in reserve.[8] In April 1910, [*Minnehaha*](/source/SS_Minnehaha) was damaged by running aground in the [Isles of Scilly](/source/Isles_of_Scilly). *Mesaba* replaced her until her repairs were completed.[3]

By 1910, *Mesaba* was equipped with [submarine signalling](/source/Submarine_signals) and [wireless telegraph](/source/Wireless_telegraphy). The [Marconi Company](/source/Marconi_Company) supplied and operated her wireless equipment.[30] By 1913, her [call sign](/source/Maritime_call_sign) was MMV.[31]

## *Titanic*

*Titanic*'s senior wireless officer, [Jack Phillips](/source/Jack_Phillips_(wireless_operator)), in [Marconi Company](/source/Marconi_Company) uniform

On 14 April 1912, *Mesaba* was making a westbound crossing of the North Atlantic. That evening, her Marconi [wireless officer](/source/Radio_operator), Stanley Adams, transmitted a sea ice and weather report to RMS *Titanic*:

To Titanic In Lat. 42 N. to 41.25 Long 49 W to Long – 50.30 W saw much heavy pack ice and great number large icebergs also field ice. Weather good, clear[11]

*Titanic*'s senior Marconi wireless officer, [Jack Phillips](/source/Jack_Phillips_(wireless_operator)), received the signal about 21:40 hrs that evening; it is unclear, however, whether or not the message reached *Titanic*'s [bridge](/source/Bridge_(nautical)).[11] It was one of a number of ice warnings transmitted to *Titanic* that evening. Two hours later, *Titanic* collided with an iceberg, gashing her side below the waterline, and causing herself to sink.

The transmission range of shipborne wireless telegraphy at that time was relatively short. *Mesaba*'s was only 300 kilometres (160 nmi),[31] which was typical for many ships of her era. Wireless-equipped ships compensated for this by relaying signals from ship to ship. *Mesaba*'s wireless signal to *Titanic* was one of numerous ice and weather reports that ships in the area had been passing to each other that day. At one time during the day on 14 April, *Mesaba* was about 50 nautical miles (93 km) ahead of the [Allan Liner](/source/Allan_Line) [*Parisian*](/source/SS_Parisian), which in turn was a similar distance ahead of the Leyland Liner [*Californian*](/source/SS_Californian). *Titanic* was about 125 nautical miles (232 km) astern of *Parisian*. At about 12:00 noon, *Mesaba* transmitted an ice warning to *Parisian*, which relayed it to the [Cunard Liner](/source/Cunard_Line) [RMS *Carpathia*](/source/RMS_Carpathia).[32] At another time on the same day, *Mesaba* was astern of *Parisian* and ahead of *Titanic*. Early that evening, *Parisian* sighted "huge icebergs", and transmitted a warning, which *Mesaba* relayed to *Titanic*.[33]

## Final peacetime years

Between 1912 and 1914, *Mesaba* made three round trips for Red Star Line between [Antwerp](/source/Port_of_Antwerp) and [Philadelphia](/source/Port_of_Philadelphia) via [Boston](/source/Port_of_Boston).[3] One of these voyages seems to have been in June 1912.[34] From November 1912 until May 1913, *Mesaba* worked almost continually between London and New York.[35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45] She worked between London and New York again in May 1914.[46]

## First World War

Within days of the [First World War](/source/World_War_I) starting in August 1914, the [Admiralty](/source/Admiralty_(United_Kingdom)) was reported to have requisitioned *Mesaba* for "transport service".[47]

On 11 August 1918, *Mesaba* was involved in a collision in fog with the 1,176 [GRT](/source/Gross_register_tonnage) steamship *Lizard*. An inquiry found the two ships equally to blame.[11] 20 days later, on 31 August 1918, *Mesaba* left Liverpool for Philadelphia in ballast in [convoy](/source/Convoy) OL32/OE21. Her Master was Captain Owen Percy Clarke. The next day, [SM *UB-118*](/source/SM_UB-118) torpedoed her 21 nautical miles (39 km) east of the [Tuskar Rock](/source/Tuskar_Rock%2C_Ireland) in the Irish Sea. 20 of her crew were killed, including Captain Clarke[3] and her Chief Officer. The gunboat *Kildini*, commanded by Lieutenant FJ Silva RNR, rescued 78 survivors.[11]

## Wreck

In September 2022, researchers from [Bangor University](/source/Bangor_University) and [Bournemouth University](/source/Bournemouth_University), using multibeam [sonar](/source/Sonar) aboard the [research vessel](/source/Research_vessel) *Prince Madog*, identified a wreck at [52°17′N 5°38′W / 52.283°N 5.633°W / 52.283; -5.633](https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?pagename=SS_Mesaba_(1898)&params=52_17_N_5_38_W_) as that of *Mesaba*. She lies at a depth of 315 feet (96 m), and her [bow](/source/Bow_(watercraft)) is broken off.[48][49] Hitherto, the wreck was believed to be that of [*City of Glasgow*](/source/SS_City_of_Glasgow_(1906)), a passenger ship from the same convoy, which was sunk on the same day, and by the same U-boat.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

## References

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1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-H&W_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-H&W_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-H&W_3-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-H&W_3-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-H&W_3-4) ["Winifreda"](https://www.theyard.info/ships/ships.asp?entryid=319). *The Yard*. Harland & Wolff. Retrieved 9 July 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Boadicea"](https://www.clydeships.co.uk/view.php?&ref=23802). *Scottish Built Ships*. Caledonian Maritime Research Trust. Retrieved 9 July 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Cleopatra"](http://www.shippingandshipbuilding.uk/view.php?&ref=200289). *Shipping and Shipbuilding*. Shipping and Shipbuilding Research Trust. Retrieved 9 July 2025.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTE''Lloyd's_Register''_1898WIN–WIS_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTE''Lloyd's_Register''_1898WIN–WIS_6-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTE''Lloyd's_Register''_1898WIN–WIS_6-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTE''Lloyd's_Register''_1898WIN–WIS_6-3) [*Lloyd's Register* 1898](#CITEREFLloyd's_Register_1898), WIN–WIS.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBurrell199226_7-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBurrell199226_7-1) [Burrell 1992](#CITEREFBurrell1992), p. 26.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEHaws1979164_8-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEHaws1979164_8-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEHaws1979164_8-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEHaws1979164_8-3) [Haws 1979](#CITEREFHaws1979), p. 164.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTE''Lloyd's_Register''_1911Vessels_Fitted_with_Refrigerating_Appliances_9-0)** [*Lloyd's Register* 1911](#CITEREFLloyd's_Register_1911), Vessels Fitted with Refrigerating Appliances.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["Live Stock Market"](https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030214/1899-07-30/ed-1/seq-21/). *[New-York Tribune](/source/New-York_Tribune)*. 30 July 1899. p. 21 – via [Chronicling America](/source/Chronicling_America).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-ET_11-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-ET_11-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-ET_11-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-ET_11-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-ET_11-4) ["Atlantic Transport Line: Mesaba"](https://www.encyclopedia-titanica.org/titanic/ships/mesaba.html). *Encyclopedia Titanica*. 1996. Retrieved 19 July 2023.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBurrell199227_12-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBurrell199227_12-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBurrell199227_12-2) [Burrell 1992](#CITEREFBurrell1992), p. 27.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEHaws1979163–164_13-0)** [Haws 1979](#CITEREFHaws1979), pp. 163–164.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTE''Mercantile_Navy_List''_1899242_14-0)** [*Mercantile Navy List* 1899](#CITEREFMercantile_Navy_List_1899), p. 242.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["Atlantic Transport Line Steamship"](https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030214/1898-12-24/ed-1/seq-85/). *New-York Tribune*. 24 December 1898. p. IV–11 – via Chronicling America.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["Steamship of the Atlantic Transport Company"](https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030214/1898-12-24/ed-1/seq-40/). *New-York Tribune*. 24 December 1898. p. IV–22 – via Chronicling America.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Tribune-1899-0105_17-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Tribune-1899-0105_17-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Tribune-1899-0105_17-2) ["Probable Disaster at Sea"](https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030214/1899-01-05/ed-1/seq-7/). *New-York Tribune*. 5 January 1899. p. 7 – via Chronicling America.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Sun-1899-0105_18-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Sun-1899-0105_18-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Sun-1899-0105_18-2) ["Has the Catania Been Lost?"](https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030272/1899-01-05/ed-1/seq-1/). *[The Sun](/source/The_Sun_(New_York_City))*. New York. 5 January 1899. p. 1 – via Chronicling America.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** ["Steamer Catania in Distress"](https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1899/01/04/102407483.html?pageNumber=1). *[The New York Times](/source/The_New_York_Times)*. 4 January 1899. p. 1 – via Times Machine.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Sun-1899-0201_20-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Sun-1899-0201_20-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Sun-1899-0201_20-2) ["Under a Giant Comber"](https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030272/1899-02-15/ed-1/seq-1/). *The Sun*. New York. 15 February 1899. p. 1 – via Chronicling America.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** ["Steamer Catania in Distress"](https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1899/01/04/102407483.html?pageNumber=1). *The New York Times*. 4 January 1899. p. 1 – via Times Machine.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** ["Catania Makes the Azores"](https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030272/1899-01-07/ed-1/seq-4/). *The Sun*. New York. 7 January 1899. p. 4 – via Chronicling America.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** ["The Catania Safe in Port"](https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1899/01/07/117909448.html?pageNumber=7). *The New York Times*. 7 January 1899. p. 7 – via Times Machine.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-24)** ["Shamrock Soon to Sail"](https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030272/1899-08-29/ed-1/seq-4/). *The Sun*. New York. 29 August 1899. p. 4 – via Chronicling America.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-25)** ["Outing for Shamrock's Crew"](https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030272/1899-08-28/ed-1/seq-5/). *The Sun*. New York. 28 August 1899. p. 5 – via Chronicling America.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-NYT-1900-1004_26-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-NYT-1900-1004_26-1) ["The Mesaba in Collision Again"](https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1900/10/04/102615559.html?pageNumber=2). *The New York Times*. 4 October 1900. p. 2 – via Times Machine.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Tribune-1905-0207_27-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Tribune-1905-0207_27-1) ["Messaba's Passengers See Rescue"](https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030214/1905-02-07/ed-1/seq-8/). *New-York Tribune*. 7 February 1899. p. 8 – via Chronicling America.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Sun-1905-0207_28-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Sun-1905-0207_28-1) ["Set Fire to Frozen Ship"](https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030272/1905-02-07/ed-1/seq-2/). *The Sun*. New York. 7 February 1905. p. 2 – via Chronicling America.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-NYT-1905-0702_29-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-NYT-1905-0702_29-1) ["Five Days in Peril on Ice-Coated Vessel"](https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1905/02/07/101407900.html?pageNumber=16). *The New York Times*. 7 February 1905. p. 16 – via Times Machine.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTE''Lloyd's_Register''_1910MES–MEX_30-0)** [*Lloyd's Register* 1910](#CITEREFLloyd's_Register_1910), MES–MEX.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEThe_Marconi_Press_Agency_Ltd1913256_31-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEThe_Marconi_Press_Agency_Ltd1913256_31-1) [The Marconi Press Agency Ltd 1913](#CITEREFThe_Marconi_Press_Agency_Ltd1913), p. 256.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-32)** ["Told Titanic of Ice and Night was Clear"](https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn92051126/1912-04-18/ed-1/seq-8/). *The New Haven Union*. [New Haven, CT](/source/New_Haven%2C_Connecticut). 18 April 1912. p. 8 – via Chronicling America.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-33)** ["Wireless Operator Asleep Parisian Missed S. O. S. Cry"](https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84022472/1912-04-18/ed-1/seq-9/). *[Bridgeport Evening Farmer](/source/Bridgeport_Evening_Farmer)*. [Bridgeport, CT](/source/Bridgeport%2C_Connecticut). 18 April 1912. p. 9 – via Chronicling America.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-34)** ["Nice European Trip"](https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn86081889/1912-06-04/ed-1/seq-1/). *The Fulton County News*. [McConnellsburg, PA](/source/McConnellsburg%2C_Pennsylvania). 4 June 1912. p. 1 – via Chronicling America.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-35)** ["Marine Intelligence"](https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030272/1912-11-14/ed-1/seq-17/). *The Sun*. New York. 14 November 1912. p. 17 – via Chronicling America.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-36)** ["Marine Intelligence"](https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030272/1912-12-13/ed-1/seq-15/). *The Sun*. New York. 13 December 1912. p. 15 – via Chronicling America.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-37)** ["Marine Intelligence"](https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030272/1912-12-18/ed-1/seq-15/). *The Sun*. New York. 18 December 1912. p. 15 – via Chronicling America.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-38)** ["Marine Intelligence"](https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030272/1913-01-10/ed-1/seq-15/). *The Sun*. New York. 10 January 1913. p. 15 – via Chronicling America.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-39)** ["Marine Intelligence"](https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030214/1913-01-19/ed-1/seq-18/). *The Sun*. New York. 19 January 1913. p. 18 – via Chronicling America.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-40)** ["Shipping News"](https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030214/1913-01-26/ed-1/seq-14/). *New-York Tribune*. 26 January 1913. p. 14 – via Chronicling America.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-41)** ["Marine Intelligence"](https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030272/1913-02-24/ed-1/seq-13/). *The Sun*. New York. 24 February 1913. p. 13 – via Chronicling America.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-42)** ["Shipping News"](https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030214/1913-03-02/ed-1/seq-16/). *New-York Tribune*. 2 March 1913. p. 16 – via Chronicling America.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-43)** ["Marine Intelligence"](https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030272/1913-03-28/ed-1/seq-19/). *The Sun*. New York. 28 March 1913. p. 18 – via Chronicling America.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-44)** ["Shipping News"](https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030214/1913-04-17/ed-1/seq-11/). *New-York Tribune*. 17 April 1913. p. 11 – via Chronicling America.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-45)** ["Marine Intelligence"](https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030214/1913-05-08/ed-1/seq-6/). *New-York Tribune*. 8 May 1913. p. 6 – via Chronicling America.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-46)** ["Shipping Information and Marine News of the World"](https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030214/1914-05-08/ed-1/seq-10/). *New-York Tribune*. 8 May 1914. p. 8 – via Chronicling America.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-47)** ["Many Liners Now Nearing Safety"](https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030214/1914-08-08/ed-1/seq-3/). *New-York Tribune*. 8 August 1914. p. 3 – via Chronicling America.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-48)** Kuta, Sarah (30 September 2022). ["The Ship That Tried to Warn the Titanic Has Been Found"](https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/the-ship-that-tried-to-warn-the-titanic-has-been-found-180980870/). *[Smithsonian](/source/Smithsonian_(magazine))*. Retrieved 19 July 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-49)** ["SS Mesaba: The Ship That Sent an Iceberg Warning to Titanic Discovered in Irish Sea"](https://oldmooresalmanac.com/ss-mesaba-titanic-discovered-in-irish-sea-ship/). *[Old Moore's Almanac](/source/Old_Moore's_Almanac)*. 3 February 2023. Retrieved 19 July 2023.

## Further reading

- Burrell, David (1992). *Furness Withy 1891–1991*. Kendal: [World Ship Society](/source/World_Ship_Society). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-905617-70-3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-905617-70-3).

- Haws, Duncan (1979). *The Ships of the Cunard, American, Red Star, Inman, Leyland, Dominion, Atlantic Transport and White Star lines*. Merchant Fleets in Profile. Vol. 2. Cambridge: Patrick Stephens Ltd. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-85059-324-7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-85059-324-7).

- [*Lloyd's Register of British and Foreign Shipping*](https://archive.org/details/HECROS1899ST/page/n853/mode/1up). Vol. I.–Steamers. London: [Lloyd's Register](/source/Lloyd's_Register) of Shipping. 1898 – via [Internet Archive](/source/Internet_Archive).

- [*Lloyd's Register of British and Foreign Shipping*](https://archive.org/details/HECROS1911ST/page/n697/mode/1up). Vol. I.–Steamers. London: Lloyd's Register of Shipping. 1910 – via Internet Archive.

- [*Lloyd's Register of British and Foreign Shipping*](https://archive.org/details/HECROS1912SV/page/n364/mode/1up). Vol. I.–Sailing Vessels, &c. London: Lloyd's Register of Shipping. 1911 – via Internet Archive.

- [The Marconi Press Agency Ltd](/source/Marconi_Company) (1913). *The Year Book of Wireless Telegraphy and Telephony*. London: The St Katherine Press.

- [McCartney, Innes](/source/Innes_McCartney) (2022). *Echoes From The Deep*. Leiden: Sidestone Press. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-9464261165](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-9464261165).

- [*Mercantile Navy List*](https://www.crewlist.org.uk/data/viewimages?name=Mesaba&year=1899&submit=Enter). London: Registrar General of Shipping and Seamen. 1899 – via Crew List Index Project.

## External links

- ["Finding the Ship That Sent Out a Warning to the Titanic"](https://www.bangor.ac.uk/news/2022-09-27-finding-the-ship-that-sent-out-a-warning-to-the-titanic). [Bangor University](/source/Bangor_University). 27 September 2022.

v t e Shipwrecks and maritime incidents in 1899 Shipwrecks 4 Mar: HMS Resistance 30 Mar: Stella 24 Apr: Loch Sloy 14 May: Gallia May (unknown date): City of Paris 4 Jun: Lindus, R.G. Stewart 12 Jul: City of York 21 Jul: Nunobiki Maru 26 Jul: Clarence 1 Aug: Benjamin C. Cromwell, James A. Garfield 27 Aug: George Stetson 8 Oct: Caleb Curtis 14 Oct: Typo 2 Nov: USS Charleston 2 Dec: Montevideo 3 Dec: Ismore 18 Dec: 115 Unknown date: Zaragoza Other incidents January (unknown date): Nubia 13 Feb: Germanic 24 Mar: Willehad June-September : SS Waikato 28 Jul: HMS Royal Sovereign July (unknown date): Oakland, Vigilancia 12 Nov: Gromoboi 29 Dec: Mesaba Unknown date: Frank A. Palmer 1898 1900

v t e Shipwrecks and maritime incidents in 1900 Shipwrecks 5 Jan: Ibex 31 Jan: Wolcott 11 Apr: RNLB Arab and RNLB James Stevens No. 4 30 Jun: Bremen, Main, Saale 27 Jun: William W. Ker 7 Jul: Idler 3 Aug: Fontana 11 Aug: Framée 8 Sep: May Flint 8 Sep: John B. Lyon 22 Sep: Charkieh 24 Sep: Suffolk 16 Nov: T.H. Camp November (unknown date): USS Yosemite 16 Dec: SMS Gneisenau Unknown date: Copenhagen, Manchester Other incidents 1 Jan: Prins van Oranje 4 Feb: HMS Repulse 6 Feb: Fazilka 30 Jun: 1900 Hoboken Docks fire, Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse 3 Aug: Infanta Isabel 12 Sep: Coptic 18 Sep: Minnehaha 22 September: Mesaba 3 Oct: Berkeley, Columbia, Mesaba 20 Oct: Kommandøren 1899 1901

v t e Shipwrecks and maritime incidents in 1905 Shipwrecks 1 Jan: Helsingfors 2 Jan: Sevastopol 3 Jan: Haudaudine 18 Jan: Optima 5 Feb: Ice Boat No. 3, Anjou 7 Feb: Sully 17 Feb: Orizaba February (unknown date): Moy 4 May: Hesper 5 May: Delfin 27 May: Borodino, Imperator Aleksandr III, Knyaz Suvorov, Oslyabya, Ural 28 May: Admiral Nakhimov, Admiral Ushakov, Navarin, Sissoi Veliky, Svetlana, Vladimir Monomakh 29 May: Dmitrii Donskoi, Izumrud 18 Jun: Etruria 5 Jul: Farfadet 8 Jul: Potemkin 10 Aug: Roanoke 2 Sep: Pretoria, Sevona, Iosco 12 Sep: Mikasa September (unknown date): Loch Vennachar 5 Oct: Noquebay 17 Oct: Joseph S. Fay 28 Oct: Cardenal Cisneros 2 Nov: Appomattox 5 Nov: Blackadder 12 Nov: R. J. Hackett 18 Nov: Hilda 27 Nov: Mataafa 28 Nov: Amboy, George Spencer, Madeira 11 Dec: LV-58 Unknown date: George W. Elder Other incidents 1 Feb: Mesaba 15 Mar: Arabia 25 Mar: Parisian April (unknown date): San Juan 27 May: Akatsuki, Yūgiri 3 Jun: HMS Swiftsure, HMS Triumph 21 Jul: USS Bennington August (unknown date): Virawa Sept (unknown date): D. M. Clemson 5 Oct: HMS Irresistible 16 Oct: Valencia 11 Nov: Hellig Olav 17 Nov: SMS Undine 27 Nov: Roanoke Unknown date: USFS Phalarope 1904 1906

v t e Shipwrecks and maritime incidents in August 1918 Shipwrecks 2 Aug: HMS Ariel, Floréal, HMS Vehement 3 Aug: UB-53, HMAT Warilda 6 Aug: HMS Comet, Diamond Shoal Lightship No. 71 7 Aug: Dupetit-Thouars 8 Aug: UC-49 10 Aug: Polynesien 13 Aug: Etruria, UB-30 14 Aug: UB-57, UB-103 15 Aug: HMS Scott 18 Aug: USAT Montanan 22 Aug: Prunelle 27 Aug: Pampa, USS SC-209 28 Aug: UC-70 29 Aug: UB-109 Unknown date: UB-12, Svyatoy Georgy Other incidents 7 Aug: USS O-6, USS Paul Jones 11 Aug: Mesaba 25 Aug: USS Sappho 26 Aug: Lake Manitoba 27 Aug: Felix Taussig 30 Aug: HMS Endymion 1917 1918 1919 July 1918 September 1918

v t e Shipwrecks and maritime incidents in September 1918 Shipwrecks 1 Sep: Mesaba, City of Glasgow 4 Sep: Bogstad 5 Sep: SM UC-91 9 Sep: SM U-92, Missanabie 10 Sep: SM UB-83 15 Sep: HMS Sarnia, Star of Poland 16 Sep: USS Buena Ventura, HMS Glatton 20 Sep: Circé 25 Sep: SM U-156 27 Sep: USCGC Tampa 29 Sep: SM UB-115 30 Sep: USS Ticonderoga, SM U-102, SM UB-127 Unknown date: SM UB-104, SM UB-113 Other incidents 5 Sep: USS Mount Vernon 6 Sep: D.R. Hanna, USS Hisko 8 Sep: HMS Amphitrite 12 Sep: USFS Auklet, SS Princess Sophia 27 Sep: USS Relief, USS Williams 29 Sep: USS Minnesota 1917 1918 1919 August 1918 October 1918

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [SS Mesaba (1898)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SS_Mesaba_(1898)) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SS_Mesaba_(1898)?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.