The RMS ''Albania'' was a

steamship A steamship, often referred to as a steamer, is a type of steam-powered vessel, typically ocean-faring and seaworthy, that is propelled by one or more steam engines that typically move (turn) propellers or paddlewheels. The first steamships ...

that served various owners. She was launched on 3 February 1900 by Swan, Hunter & Wigham Richardson,

Wallsend-on-Tyne Wallsend is a town in North Tyneside, England, at the eastern end of Hadrian's Wall. It has a population of 43,842 and lies east of Newcastle upon Tyne. History Roman Wallsend In Roman times, this was the site of the fort of Segedunum. This fo ...

as ''Consuelo'' for Thomas Wilson & Sons of

Hull Hull may refer to: Structures * Chassis, of an armored fighting vehicle * Fuselage, of an aircraft * Hull (botany), the outer covering of seeds * Hull (watercraft), the body or frame of a ship * Submarine hull Mathematics * Affine hull, in affi ...

. She was sold in 1909 to Thomson Line and renamed ''Cairnrona''.

Cunard Line ownership

She was sold by Thomson Line in 1911 to

Cunard Line Cunard () is a British shipping and cruise line based at Carnival House at Southampton, England, operated by Carnival UK and owned by Carnival Corporation & plc. Since 2011, Cunard and its three ships have been registered in Hamilton, Berm ...

and renamed ''Albania'', along with '' Ausonia'' and '' Ascania''. These three ships were designed to sail on the Southampton - Halifax route and were also the first Cunard ocean liners to sail from Southampton. On 2 May 1911, the ''Albania'' pioneered Cunard's new route and on 16 May, she was followed by ''Ausonia'' and ''Ascania'' on 23 May. ''Albania'' became the first Cunard Line vessel to sail the St. Lawrence River to Montreal, which became a familiar destination for the company. When the St. Lawrence River was closed due to

sea ice Sea ice arises as seawater freezes. Because ice is less dense than water, it floats on the ocean's surface (as does fresh water ice, which has an even lower density). Sea ice covers about 7% of the Earth's surface and about 12% of the world's oce ...

during the winter months, the western terminus of the route was changed to Portland, Maine. Within six months of her purchase, the ''Albania'' was determined to be a losing proposition for the company and she was listed for sale.

Bank Line ownership

On 12 June 1912 she was purchased by the

Bank Line The ''Bank Line'' was a British commercial shipping line that was established in 1905 by Andrew Weir, 1st Baron Inverforth, Andrew Weir. The company was sold to the Swire Group in 2003, eventually ceasing operations in 2009. Initially a Tramp trad ...

of Glasgow for £20,000 and she was renamed the ''Poleric''. She remained in service with the Bank Line until 1929 and she was scrapped in 1930.

References

Cunard: Albania I
{{DEFAULTSORT:Albania Steamships of the United Kingdom 1900 ships Ships built by Swan Hunter Ships built on the River Tyne