SS Batavier II (1897)

SS Batavier II, as she appeared from 1897 to 1909
History
Name:	SS Batavier II
Owner:	William Müller & Co.
Operator:	Batavier Line
Port of registry:	Rotterdam
Route:	Rotterdam–London
Builder:	Gourlay Brothers, Dundee, Scotland
Yard number:	176
Launched:	17 August 1897
Completed:	October 1897
Captured:	seized as prize by UB-6, 24 September 1916
Fate:	shelled and sunk by HMS E55, 27 July 1917
General characteristics
Type:	steam packet
Tonnage:	as built: 1,136 GRT after 1909: 1,335 GRT
Length:	as built: 74.4 m (244 ft 1 in) (lpp) after 1909: 79.7 m (261 ft 6 in)
Beam:	10.2 m (33 ft 6 in)
Propulsion:	1 × 4-cylinder, triple-expansion steam engine, 2,000 ihp (1,500 kW)
Speed:	13 to 14 knots (24–26 km/h)
Capacity:	passengers: 44 first class 27 second-class 250 steerage

SS Batavier II was a steam packet for the Batavier Line that sailed between Rotterdam and London for most of her career. The ship was built in 1897 by the Gourlay Brothers of Dundee. The Dutch ship could carry a limited amount of freight and up to 321 passengers. She was rebuilt in 1909 which increased her length by over 5 metres (16 ft).

During World War I, the Batavier Line attempted to maintain service, but in September 1916, Batavier II was seized as a prize by German submarine UB-6 and sailed into Zeebrugge and retained. Ten months later, Batavier II was shelled by British submarine E55 and sank near Texel.

Batavier II and her sister ship Batavier III were built for William Müller and Company by the Gourlay Brothers of Dundee, Scotland. The ship was launched on 17 August 1897. As built, she was 74.4 metres (244 ft 1 in) long (between perpendiculars) and 10.2 metres (33 ft 6 in) abeam. Batavier II was powered by a single 4-cylinder, triple-expansion steam engine of 2,000 indicated horsepower (1,500 kW) that moved her up to 14 knots (26 km/h). She could carry up to 321 passengers: 44 in first class, 27 in second class, and up to 250 in steerage. She was listed at 1,136 gross register tons (GRT).

Upon completion in October 1897, she joined the 683-ton Batavier I in packet service between Rotterdam and London. The pair were joined by Batavier III after her completion in November. In Rotterdam, the ships docked at the Willemsplein; in London, the ships originally docked near London Bridge, but in 1899 switched to the Customs House and Wool Quays near the Tower Bridge. Also beginning in 1899, Batavier Line service between Rotterdam and London was offered daily except Sundays; each of the ships made three round trips per week. In addition to passengers, Batavier II could also carry a limited quantity of freight. One example that may be typical was a load of 1 long ton (1.1 short tons) of dry chemical wood pulp in 5 bales carried to London in March 1907. In 1909, Batavier II was rebuilt to 1,335 GRT and lengthened by 5.3 metres (17 ft 5 in) to 79.7 metres (261 ft 6 in).