View source for Engineering:RMS Magdalena (1948)

{{Short description|British Passenger & reefer cargo liner}}
{{Other ships|RMS Magdalena}}
{{EngvarB|date=August 2014}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image
| Ship image=RMS Magdalena.jpg
| Ship caption=RMS ''Magdalena''
}}
{{Infobox ship career
|Hide header= 
|Ship country={{wipe|United Kingdom}}
|Ship flag={{shipboxflag|United Kingdom|government}}
|Ship name= ''Magdalena''
|Ship namesake= Magdalena River in Colombia
|Ship owner= [[File:Royal Mail Lines House Flag.svg|15px|border]] Royal Mail Lines
|Ship operator=
|Ship registry=[[Place:London|London]]
|Ship route=England – South America
|Ship ordered=1946
|Ship builder= [[Company:Harland and Wolff|Harland and Wolff]], [[Place:Belfast|Belfast]]
|Ship original cost=
|Ship yard number=
|Ship way number=
|Ship laid down=
|Ship launched=11 May 1948
|Ship sponsor= 
|Ship completed=18 February 1949
|Ship acquired=
|Ship maiden voyage=9 March 1949
|Ship in service=
|Ship out of service=25 April 1949
|Ship identification=*United Kingdom official number: 182955
*Call sign GFQD
*{{ICS|Golf}}{{ICS|Foxtrot}}{{ICS|Quebec}}{{ICS|Delta}}
|Ship fate=Ran aground 24 April 1949; later sunk
|Ship notes=
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
|Hide header=
|Header caption=
|Ship type=Passenger & refrigerated cargo liner
*{{DWT|9725|disp=long}}
|Ship displacement=
|Ship length=*{{convert|570|ft|1|in|2|abbr=on}} [[Engineering:Length overall|o/a]]
*{{convert|540|ft|0|in|2|abbr=on}} [[Engineering:Length between perpendiculars|p/p]]
|Ship beam={{convert|73|ft|3|in|2|abbr=on}}
|Ship height=
|Ship draught={{convert|28|ft|9|in|2|abbr=on}} (SLL)
|Ship depth=
|Ship decks=
|Ship deck clearance=
|Ship power={{convert|18000|shp|kW|abbr=on}}
|Ship propulsion=2 × [[Engineering:Steam turbine#Marine propulsion|steam turbines]], double reduction geared to drive twin [[Engineering:Propeller|screws]]
|Ship speed={{convert|18|kn|km/h}}
|Ship capacity=*529 passengers
*{{convert|460000|cuft}} refrigerated cargo space
|Ship crew=251
|Ship notes=
}}
|}
{{location map|Brazil|relief=yes|width=304
|lat=-22.951
|long=-43.125
|caption=Position where ''Magdalena'' was wrecked off {{wipe|Brazil}}.
}}

'''''Magdalena''''' was a {{GRT|17547}} passenger and [[Physics:Reefer ship|refrigerated cargo]] [[Engineering:Ocean liner|ocean liner]] that [[Company:Harland and Wolff|Harland and Wolff]] built in [[Place:Belfast|Belfast]] in 1948 for Royal Mail Lines (RML). Launched on 11 May 1948, she was the third-largest ship being built in a UK shipyard at that time.

Built as a replacement for a ship lost during the Second World War, she was to serve on route between England and the east coast of [[Earth:South America|South America]]. She was wrecked on her maiden voyage in 1949, the sixth ship built by Harland and Wolff to suffer this fate. The insurance payout of £2,295,000 was the largest made at the time for a marine casualty in the United Kingdom. Due to changing trading conditions RML decided not to build a replacement vessel.

==Description==
''Magdalena'' was {{convert|570|ft|1|in|2}} long overall ({{convert|540|ft|0|in}} between perpendiculars,<ref name=SN>{{cite web |url= http://www.shipsnostalgia.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/167007/title/splendid-ship-magdalena/cat/533 |title=Magdalena |publisher=Ships Nostalgia |access-date=18 June 2011}}</ref> with a beam of {{convert|73|ft|3|in|2}},<ref name=Report/> and a draught of {{convert|28|ft|9|in|2}} (SLL).<ref name=SN/> She was propelled by two Parsons [[Engineering:Steam turbine#Marine propulsion|steam turbines]], double reduction geared, driving twin [[Engineering:Propeller|screws]].<ref name=Report/> Developing {{convert|18000|shp|kW}},<ref name=SN/> they could propel the ship at {{convert|18|kn|km/h}}.<ref name=Report>{{cite journal |title=Report of Court (No. 7962) |journal=S.S. "Magdalena" O.N. 182955 |publisher=His Majesty's Stationery Office |year=1949 |url= http://www.plimsoll.org/images/14208_tcm4-55910.pdf|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120312090631/http://www.plimsoll.org/images/14208_tcm4-55910.pdf|url-status= usurped|archive-date= 12 March 2012}}</ref>

''Magdalena'' had five holds for the carriage of refrigerated cargo, three forward and two aft,<ref name=Report/> for a total of {{convert|460000|cuft}}.<ref name=Times240249>{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=A Ship of Curves |date=24 February 1949 |page=3 |issue=51314 |column=D }}</ref> Internally she was divided into nine [[Engineering:Ship floodability|watertight compartments]].<ref name=Report/> She was of part-riveted and part-welded construction, with a [[Engineering:Double bottom|double bottom]].<ref name=Hansard>{{Cite web |url= https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/commons/1949/may/11/rms-magdalena#S5CV0464P0_19490511_HOC_224 |title=R.M.S. "Magdalena" |work=Parliamentary Debates (Hansard) |date=11 May 1949 |access-date=14 June 2011}}</ref> She was certificated to carry 251 crew and 529 passengers.<ref name=Report/> She was assessed at {{GRT|17,547}}, {{NRT|9,885}}, 9,725 [[Engineering:Deadweight tonnage|DWT]].<ref name=SN/>

==History==
RML ordered ''Magdalena'' in 1946.<ref name=Times120647/> Her keel had been laid by 8 October when Harland and Wolff applied for a passenger certificate for the ship.<ref name=Hansard2>{{cite web |url= https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/written-answers/1949/may/09/rms-magdalena#S5CV0464P0_19490509_CWA_23 |title=R.M.S. "Magdalena" |work=Parliamentary Debates (Hansard) |date=11 May 1949 |access-date=14 June 2011}}</ref> In 1947 it was reported that delivery would be delayed until the end of 1948 and that the cost of building her would be considerably higher than the estimated cost when the order was placed.<ref name=Times120647>{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=Royal Mail Lines Limited |date=12 June 1947 |page=9 |issue=50785 |column=G }}</ref> She was built to replace {{SS|Highland Patriot||2}}, which had been sunk in 1940.<ref name=Times170648>{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=Company Meeting |date=17 June 1947 |page=8 |issue=58100 |column=A-C }}</ref> ''Magdalena'' was the first passenger ship built by Harland and Wolff in Belfast after the end of the war and the third-largest being built in the United Kingdom at that time.<ref name=BBC4952852>{{cite web |url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/4952852.stm |title=Survivors of a shipwreck remember |publisher=BBC Northern Ireland |date=28 April 1996 |access-date=14 June 2011}}</ref>

The ship was the third in the Royal Mail Lines fleet to carry the name ''Magdalena'',<ref name=List>{{cite web |url=http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/lines/royalmail.html |title=Royal Mail Steam Packet Company / Royal Mail Lines Limited |publisher=The Ships List |access-date=14 June 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604164353/http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/lines/royalmail.html |archive-date=4 June 2011 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> she was built to serve on the Tilbury – Cherbourg – Vigo – [[Place:Lisbon|Lisbon]] – [[Place:Las Palmas|Las Palmas]] – Pernambuco – [[Place:Bahia|Bahia]] – Rio de Janeiro – Santos – [[Place:Montevideo|Montevideo]] – [[Place:Buenos Aires|Buenos Aires]] route.<ref name=Times261048>{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=New Royal Mail Liner |date=26 October 1948 |page=2 |issue=51212 |column=C }}</ref> She was launched on 11 May 1948.<ref name=Shipwrecks/> Her passenger certificate was issued on 18 February 1949.<ref name=Hansard2/> Her port of registry was London.<ref name=Pathe>{{cite video |date=16 May 1949 |title=Ship of Curves |url=http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=46787 |medium=Motion picture |publisher=British Pathé |location=London |access-date=15 June 2011 |time=0:00.10 }}</ref> The Official Number 182955 and Code Letters GFQD were allocated.<ref name=SN/>

''Magdalena'' left London on her maiden voyage on 9 March 1949,<ref name=Times070649>{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=Company Meeting |date=7 June 1949 |page=8 |issue=51401 |column=A-D }}</ref> bound for Buenos Aires, {{wipe|Argentina}}.<ref name=Times170349/> Her captain was on his final voyage before retirement.<ref name=Times260449/> She called at Las Palmas in the Canary Islands on 15 March,<ref name=Times170349>{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=Movements of Liners |date=17 March 1949 |page=8 |issue=51332 |column=B }}</ref> and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on 24 March.<ref name=Times250349>{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=New Royal Mail Liner at Rio |date=25 March 1949 |page=3 |issue=51339 |column=D }}</ref> She reached Buenos Aires,<ref name=Times260449/> where a cargo of {{convert|3000|LT|t|0}} of meat was loaded,<ref name=Times270449b>{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=The City Taken by Surprise |date=27 April 1949 |page=4 |issue=51366 |column=D }}</ref> and called at Santos where a cargo of oranges was loaded.<ref name=Times260449>{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=17,500-Ton Liner on Reef |date=26 April 1949 |page=4 |issue=51365 |column=G }}</ref> Carrying 237 crew and 347 passengers, she left Santos on 24 April, passing south of the Isle of Moela and the Isle of San Sebastian. ''Magdalena{{'}}s'' course was more northerly than that intended, and adjustments were made twice on the orders of her captain. She passed Boi Point, San Sebastian at 19:56 and her course was altered to pass about {{convert|0.5|nmi|km|abbr=on}} north of the Palmas Island Lighthouse, at the entrance to Rio de Janeiro Harbour. The captain retired to bed at about 22:45, leaving written orders to be called when the ship was at a bearing of 315° off the Garituba Lighthouse. As ''Magdalena'' was not due at Rio de Janeiro until the morning, her speed was reduced to {{convert|13.5|kn|km/h}}. At 02:30 on 25 April, she was some {{convert|2|to|2.5|nmi|km|abbr=on}} north of her intended position and another adjustment was made to her heading. By 03:30, she was on course and the bearing of 315° to the Guarituba Lighthouse was obtained at 03:49, at which point the captain was called. Having checked that all was well, he left orders to be called at 04:30.<ref name=Report/>

At 04:00, the watch changed; the incoming watch were informed that the ship's course would mean that it would pass close to the Tijucas Rocks. Shortly before 04:30, a [[Earth:Fix (position)|fix]] was obtained which showed that ''Magdalena'' was again {{convert|1/2|nmi|m}} north of her intended position. The captain was called as ordered and informed that arrival off Palmas Island would be at about 05:07. The first officer then took another fix as he was unsure of the accuracy of the first fix. He had just returned to the bridge when something was seen in the water ahead of them, which the Third Officer took to be a ship without lights. The order "port, 3 degrees" was given, followed by "hard-a-starboard" immediately before ''Magdalena'' struck the Tijucas Rocks,<ref name=Report/> located between the Carragas Islands and the Palmas Islands.<ref name=MNO>{{cite web |url=http://www.merchantnavyofficers.com/rm4.html |title=Royal Mail steam Packet Company (1946–1982) |publisher=Merchant Navy Officers |access-date=13 June 2011}}</ref> The time of the grounding was 04:40.

An SOS was broadcast, which was answered by the Brazilian Navy, which sent three [[Engineering:Submarine chaser|submarine chaser]]s and three [[Engineering:Destroyer|destroyer]]s to the scene. The passengers were ordered to take to the lifeboats.<ref name=Times260449/> [[Engineering:Ship's tender|Tenders]] and tugs also assisted in the rescue of all passengers from ''Magdalena'' without loss of life. The sea conditions at the time were smooth. At 19:00, the steam turbines had to be shut down, and power was then provided by her auxiliary diesel engines.<ref name=Report/> At about 20:00, the submarine chaser ''Guaporé'' arrived and started to rescue the passengers.<ref name=Times260449/> Other ships which assisted in the rescue were the tugs ''Comandante Triunfo'', ''Dorat'', ''Saturno'' and ''Trovão'',<ref name=Naufragios>{{cite web |url= http://www.naufragios.com.br/magdalena.htm |title=O naufrágio do Magdalena |publisher=Naufragios |language=pt |access-date=15 June 2011}}</ref> and also the [[Engineering:Cargo ship|cargo ship]] ''Goiaz''.<ref name=Globo>{{cite web |url= http://oglobo.globo.com/rio/bairros/gueiros/posts/2009/08/23/o-naufragio-do-magdalena-216200.asp |title=O naufrágio do Magdalena |publisher=O Globo |language=pt |access-date=15 June 2011}}</ref>

''Magdalena'' was refloated at 23:34. Her No.3 compartment was flooded and she was down by the bows.<ref name=Report/> Tugs were sent to tow her the {{convert|15|nmi|km}} into Rio de Janeiro. The tow started at 07:00 on 26 April, making slow progress,<ref name=Times270449a/> with the ship being towed stern first and making just {{convert|3|kn|km/h}}. Her bows were drawing {{convert|45|ft}} of water.<ref name=Times280449>{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=Wreck of the Magdalena |date=28 April 1949 |page=4 |issue=51367 |column=E }}</ref> She was abeam of Sugarloaf Mountain when she began to split in two forward of her aft superstructure.<ref name=Times270449a/> This happened as the ship was passing over a sandbank at the harbour mouth, which lay at a depth of about {{convert|45|ft}}. The anchors were then dropped.<ref name=Times280449/> The remaining passengers and crew abandoned ship, with the last three leaving just before ''Magdalena'' broke up.<ref name=Times270449a/>

The bow section remained at anchor in the Guanabara Bay,<ref name=Times270449a>{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=Liner Breaks in Two |date=27 April 1949 |page=4 |issue=51366 |column=D }}</ref> The bow section slowly sank, being noticeably deeper in the water by 29 April.<ref name=Times300440>{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=The Magdalena |date=30 April 1949 |page=4 |issue=51369 |column=C }}</ref> It finally sank on 30 April, with its foremast clear of the water marking its position ({{coord|22|57|05|S|43|7|30|W}}<ref name=Shipwrecks>{{cite web |url= http://www.naufragiosdobrasil.com.br/naufmadalena.htm |title=Naufrágio Magdalena |publisher= Naufragios do Brasil |language=pt |access-date=13 June 2011}}</ref>).<ref name=Times020549>{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=Baggage removed from the Magdalena |date=2 May 1949 |page=4 |issue=51370 |column=E }}</ref> Much of her cargo of oranges washed up on Copacabana Beach.<ref name=Times270449a/> Salvage of the bow section was officially abandoned on 7 June.<ref name=Times080649>{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=Bow Section of the Magdalena |date=8 June 1949 |page=2 |issue=51402 |column=E }}</ref> The wreck now lies in {{convert|36|to|44|ft}} of water.<ref name=Wrecksite>{{cite web |url= http://www.wrecksite.eu/wreck.aspx?111821 |title=Magdalena (fore part) (+1949) |publisher=Wrecksite |access-date=14 June 2011}}</ref>

The stern section drifted aground at the opposite side to the bay to where the bow section remained.<ref name=Times270449a/> The passengers' baggage was salvaged, as well as mail being carried.<ref name=Times020549/> Of her cargo, {{convert|450|lt|t|0}} of frozen meat was salvaged, with hopes that a further {{convert|300|lt|t|0}} would also be salvageable, as well as 2,000 of the 12,000 cases of oranges. They were shipped to the United Kingdom aboard {{SS|Highland Brigade||2}}.<ref name=Times070549>{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=Unloading Cargo from the Magdalena |date=7 May 1949 |page=4 |issue=51375 |column=B }}</ref> Salvage operations were abandoned on 25 May,<ref name=Times260549>{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=Wreckage of Magdalena |date=26 May 1949 |page=4 |issue=51391 |column=F }}</ref> and it was decided to sell her remains for scrap.<ref name=Times310549>{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=Magdalena Wreck |date=31 May 1949 |page=4 |issue=51395 |column=E }}</ref>

''Magdalena{{'}}s'' stern section was towed to Imbuí Bay,<ref name=MNO/> and was sold for £50,000.<ref name=Times080649/> Her steam turbines were used for many years to generate electricity for Manaus.  The [[Physics:Ship's bell|ship's bell]] and some other small parts, including some [[Engineering:Porthole|porthole]]s are preserved at the Jurujuba Yacht Club, Niterói. The wreck of the bow section was a hazard to shipping until at least the 1970s, but has since been mostly demolished. It is difficult to dive due to strong currents in the area, poor visibility and anchoring in the busy shipping lane being banned.<ref name=Shipwrecks/>

On 4 May, ''Magdalena'' was declared to be a [[Finance:Total loss|total loss]],<ref name=Times140549>{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=Paying for the Magdalena |date=14 May 1949 |page=4 |issue=58381 |column=C }}</ref> making her the sixth ship built by Harland and Wolff to be lost on her maiden voyage.<ref name=Vindicatrix>{{cite web |url=http://vindicatrix.org/nev%20strangward%20obit.pdf |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120325171344/http://vindicatrix.org/nev%20strangward%20obit.pdf|archive-date=2012-03-25|title=Gerald Nevil Strangward 'Nev' 16 Dec 1929 – 30 Sept 2008 |publisher=TS Vindicatrix Association |access-date=14 June 2011}}</ref>{{ref|a|[Note 1]}} Her insurers paid out £2,295,000 to Royal Mail Lines by [[Finance:Cheque|cheque]] on 16 May. At the time, this was the biggest payout for a marine casualty in the United Kingdom.<ref name=Times170549>{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=Cheque for £295,000 |date=17 May 1949 |page=2 |issue=51838 |column=E }}</ref> It was decided that a replacement ship would not be built.<ref name=Times040649>{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=No New Magdalena in Prospect |date=4 June 1949 |page=2 |issue=51399 |column=B }}</ref>

==Investigation==
A preliminary enquiry into ''Magdalena''{{'}}s was held at Rio de Janeiro by the British Consul-General, who sent a report to the Minister of Transport, who ordered that a Court of Formal Investigation be held.<ref name=Times230649>{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=House of Commons |date=23 June 1949 |page=2 |issue=51415 |column=C }}</ref> The enquiry was held at the Royal Courts of Justice, London on 26–28 September 1949 with J. V. Naisby KC in charge, assisted by Captains Grimston and Williamson, and a Mr. Gray. Evidence was heard that the ship was seaworthy, and that the provision of rescue equipment on board either met or exceeded the required standard. The course selected was deemed to be correct, but the navigation of the ship was defective, with insufficient attention being paid to compass errors. Her captain had his master's certificate suspended for two years. Her first officer had his certificate suspended for a year, being allowed to hold a second mate's certificate during this time. These suspensions were effective from the date of the report's release on 3 October 1949.<ref name=Report/>

==Reunion==
In April 1996 a reunion was held at Belfast of people who had either helped to build or worked on board ''Magdalena''. It was organised by the Lagan Legacy heritage organisation. Four of the seven people contacted attended the reunion, with one coming from Australia.<ref name=BBC4952852/>

==Notes==
#{{note|a}} The others were {{SS|Queensmore|1889|2}} in 1889,<ref name=HW215>{{cite web |url=http://www.theyard.info/ships/ships.asp?entryid=215 |title=Queensmore |publisher=The Yard |access-date=19 February 2017}}</ref> {{RMS|Titanic}} in 1912, {{SS|Brecknockshire|1916|2}} in 1916,<ref name=HW453>{{cite web |url=http://www.theyard.info/ships/ships.asp?entryid=453 |title=Brecknockshire |publisher=The Yard |access-date=23 February 2017}}</ref> {{SS|Treveal|1919|2}} in 1920,<ref name=HW549>{{cite web |url=http://www.theyard.info/ships/ships.asp?entryid=549 |title=Treveal |publisher=The Yard |access-date=24 February 2017}}</ref> and RFA ''Dinsdale''<!--{{ship|RFA|Dinsdale|X106|6}}--> in 1942.<ref name=Ships>{{cite book |last1=Mitchell |first1=W H |last2=Sawyer |first2=L A |year=1995 |title=The Empire Ships |publisher=Lloyd's of London Press Ltd |location=London, New York, Hamburg, Hong Kong |isbn=1-85044-275-4 }} </ref> ''Brecknockshire'' and ''Dinsdale'' were lost due to enemy action.<ref name=HW453/><ref name=Ships/>

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==Further reading==
*{{cite book |last=Nicol |first=Stuart |year=2001 |title=MacQueen's Legacy; A History of the Royal Mail Line |volume=One |place=Brimscombe Port and Charleston, SC |publisher=Tempus Publishing |isbn=0-7524-2118-2 |pages=180–183 }}
*{{cite book |last=Nicol |first=Stuart |year=2001 |title=MacQueen's Legacy; Ships of the Royal Mail Line |volume=Two |place=Brimscombe Port and Charleston, SC |publisher=Tempus Publishing |isbn=0-7524-2119-0 |pages=186–193 }}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Magdalena (1948)}}
[[Category:Cargo liners]]

{{Sourceattribution|RMS Magdalena (1948)}}