Carpathia

RMS Carpathia

Carpathia, in full Royal Mail Ship (RMS) Carpathia, British passenger liner that was best known for rescuing survivors from the ship Titanic in 1912. The Carpathia was in service from 1903 to 1918, when it was sunk by a German U-boat.

The Carpathia was built by Swan and Hunter for the Cunard Line. Construction of the vessel began on September 10, 1901, with the laying of the keel. Following completion of the hull and main superstructure, the ship was launched on August 6, 1902. When finished the next year, the ship measured 558 feet (170 metres) in length and had a gross tonnage of more than 13,500. It could carry approximately 1,700 passengers. On May 5, 1903, the Carpathia embarked on its maiden voyage, sailing from Liverpool, England, to New York City. Although not as opulent as other passenger liners—it initially had no first-class accommodations—the ship became popular with both tourists and emigrants. During the summer season the Carpathia operated mainly between Liverpool and New York City, and in the winter it traveled from New York City to Trieste, Italy, and Fiume, Austria-Hungary (now Rijeka, Croatia). In 1905 the Carpathia underwent major renovations, increasing its capacity to 2,550 passengers and creating accommodations for first-class travelers. Several years later its service was largely limited to voyages between New York and Mediterranean cities.

Titanic survivors aboard the Carpathia

Carpathia Capt. Arthur Henry Rostron and Molly Brown

On April 11, 1912, the Carpathia departed from New York City for Fiume, carrying some 740 passengers. On April 15 at approximately 12:20 am, the ship received a distress call from the Titanic, which had struck an iceberg and was sinking. Capt. Arthur Henry Rostron ordered the Carpathia to the Titanic’s position, which was about 58 miles (107 km) away, and began preparing the ship for any survivors. Despite the presence of icebergs, the ship traveled at top speed (some 17 knots), arriving at approximately 3:30 am. The Titanic had sunk more than an hour earlier, but the Carpathia rescued 705 people in lifeboats. The ship returned to New York City on April 18. The actions of Rostron and the Carpathia’s crew were credited with preventing further loss of life, and Rostron was awarded a U.S. Congressional Gold Medal.

During World War I the Carpathia transported Allied troops and supplies. On July 17, 1918, it was part of a convoy traveling from Liverpool to Boston. Off the southern coast of Ireland, the ship was struck by three torpedoes from a German U-boat and sank. Five people were killed; the rest of the passengers and crew were rescued by the HMS Snowdrop.

In 1999 the wreck of the Carpathia was discovered intact and lying upright at a depth of more than 500 feet (152 metres).