RMS Republic
Ocean Liner · United Kingdom · Lost 1909 · Cape Cod & Nantucket Shoals
The White Star liner Republic sank off Nantucket after a fog collision in 1909, saved by the first major shipwreck rescue enabled by wireless telegraphy.
Become Captain of RecordSee Shipwreck on Map
The Vessel and Her Loss
Republic was built in 1903 as Columbus for the Dominion Line and soon transferred to White Star Line service as its Boston flagship. On January 23, 1909, outbound from New York in dense fog, she was struck amidships by the inbound Italian liner Florida off Nantucket. Her new Marconi wireless set carried the first CQD distress call, drawing several liners to the scene and enabling the rescue of roughly 1,500 people. Republic sank under tow the next day; six people died in the collision itself.
Vessel
- 1903
- Yard number 345 (Harland and Wolff)
- Harland and Wolff
- Belfast, Ireland
- Steel
- 585 ft
- 67.8 ft
- 15400
- Steam, twin screw
- White Star Line (Oceanic Steam Navigation Company)
Loss
- January 24, 1909
- Collision
- About 26 miles southeast of the Nantucket Lightship, Nantucket Shoals
- Atlantic Ocean
- New York City → Mediterranean ports
- Supplies for the United States battleship fleet
- 461
- 6
- William I. Sealby
The Wreck Today
- 270 ft
- Not established
- Not established
- Not established
- Not established
Position
- 40.40° N 69.80° W
- Approximate position
- Nantucket Shoals, Massachusetts
Position given by contemporary reports as roughly 26 miles southeast of the Nantucket Lightship; exact modern survey coordinates vary between sources.
Evidence
Overall confidence: Documented (88/100)
The wreck's precise present-day condition and the truth of long-running gold-cargo salvage claims are not established in the sources reviewed.
Collision narrative and rescue account.
Contemporary New York Times reporting, January 24, 1909
Loss location, casualty figures, wireless distress call.
