SS Traffic (1872)

SS Traffic was a baggage tender of the White Star Line, built in 1872 by Philip Speakman in Runcorn and made of English Oak. She was outfitted with machinery at the Old Quay Dock by Mr. W. P. Gaulton, an engineer from Manchester. She was based at the Port of Liverpool, and maintained a 24-year career with White Star. Traffic briefly served as a cargo vessel, but soon returned to tendering service.

History
United Kingdom
Name	SS Traffic
Owner	White Star Line (1872–1896) Liverpool Lighterage Co. (1896–1955)
Operator	White Star Line (1872–1896)
Builder	Philip Speakman, Runcorn
Yard number	Belvedere Yard
Launched	22 September 1872
Out of service	1955
Identification	United Kingdom Official Number 69263
Fate	Scrapped 1955
General characteristics
Type	Ship's tender
Tonnage	155 GRT, 83 NRT
Length	101.8 ft (31.02 m)
Beam	28.6 ft (8.72 m)
Depth	9 ft 6 inc (2.9 m)
Installed power	40 hp
Propulsion	Steam engine by W P Gaulton of Manchester, Single Screw
Speed	8 knots

On 10 January 1878, Traffic was run into by the steamship Maggie Ann at Liverpool and was severely damaged. She was beached.[1] In 1896, Traffic was sold to the Liverpool Lighterage Co., where she served for fifty-nine years in reliable service. On 5 May 1941 she was sunk in Liverpool docks by German aircraft during the 'May Blitz'. She was later raised and returned to service, she was broken up at Tranmere in 1955, at an age of eighty-two years. She was the only baggage tender used by the White Star Line until the company's SS Pontic entered service in 1894.