Episode 4 of 4

Launch of SS Servia

When: 1 March 1881
Where: J & G Thomson's Clydebank yard
Part of: Cunard's SS Servia, the first steel transatlantic liner, is launched

SS Servia was launched on 1 March 1881 at Clydebank, becoming the first steel-built ocean liner and the first Cunard ship with electric lighting.

Launched on 1 March 1881, Servia was the first of Cunard's new breed of ocean liners. Built by J & G Thomson, she was the first large ocean liner built of steel instead of iron. She was also the first Cunard ship to have an electric lighting installation, marking a significant technological advancement.

Sources

SS Servia Wikipedia, revision of 2026-09-25

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