History
Ultonia was launched on 4 June 1898, measuring 500 ft by 57.4 ft by 33.9 ft, and assessed at with engines by Sir C. Furness, Westgarth & Co, Middlesbrough. Originally designed for cargo and cattle, third-class accommodation for 675 passengers was fitted in 1899.[12] Ultonia left Liverpool carrying passengers for the first time on 28 February 1899, with 102 passengers at departure[13] and an additional 27 picked up at Queenstown, Ireland, before proceeding to Boston.[14]
Departing Boston on one of these voyages on 5 August 1899, Ultonia hit a ledge just outside the main channel of Boston Harbor at Nantasket Roads, which was the typical route at the time. This area is now called the Ultonia Ledge, located 1+1/2 mi southeast of Boston Light, and is as shallow as 21 ft at mean lower low water according to modern nautical charts. This event spurred the alteration of ships' courses in the area to avoid the ledge, the dredging of Nantasket Roads to a depth of 35 ft to be safe for large steamships, and also the later dredging of the wider northern approach via President Roads, which is now the main channel for large ships entering or exiting Boston Harbor.[15]
In 1904, the ship was refitted to accommodate 120 second-class passengers, and 2,100 third-class passengers, increasing the tonnage to 10,402 gross register tons.[5] In 1915, further refits were made to carry up to 2,000 horses for the war effort.[12]
On 27 March 1917, Ultonia collided with the British collier Don Benito in the Atlantic Ocean (49.58333°N, -6.73333°W). Don Benito sank.[16]
