Arabic II

Arabic II was originally laid down in 1902 at Harland & Wolff's Belfast shipyard as Minnewaska II for the Atlantic Transport Line, but when the ATL and White Star Line were both taken over by the IMM, the partially-completed vessel was transferred to the White Star Line, although some extensive modifications were required before her launch on 18th December 1902, when she officially became Arabic II.

After a somewhat rapid fitting-out, Arabic departed Liverpool on her maiden voyage on 26th June 1903, on the Liverpool - Queenstown - New York route, where she would perform for the majority of her working life, with some occasional forays onto the Liverpool - Boston route too.

At the outbreak of war, Arabic II remained in her regular civilian role whilst many of her White Star Line stable mates 'went to war'. However, in a terrible twist of irony, she became the first White Star Line vessel to be lost to enemy action when she was torpedoed on 19th August 1915, off the Old Head of Kinsale, Ireland, by submarine U-24 whilst en-route to New York. She sank within 10 minutes, and 44 people tragically lost their lives, however, a further 400 were rescued.

Related Reading: White Star Line Ships | Cunard White Star Line Merger | Adriatic | Britannic II | Laurentic I | Majestic I | Nomadic II | Olympic | Suevic | Teutonic | Traffic II | Oceanic |

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