RMS Canada

Republic was the fourth in a development line, beginning with Dominion Line's Canada.

Built by Harland & Wolff, Belfast, Yard No. 300, RMS Canada was launched in 1896 and took her maiden voyage, Liverpool-Québec-Montréal, on 1 October 1896. During the Boer War (1899-1902) she served as a troop transport, but otherwise she served Canada during the summers and Boston in winter. In August 1914, while in Canada, she was taken over and used to transport troops to England. Upon her arrival there, she was used as an accommodation ship for German prisoners for the rest of the year. From 1915 until the end of World War I, she was used as a transport ship.

Her first voyage after the war was from Liverpool to Portland, Maine, in November 1918. Although she was transferred to Leyland Line ownership in 1921, she retained her name and continued to carry Dominion's livery. She remained in service until August 1926, when she made her final voyage on the same route as her maiden voyage. She was scrapped in Italy.

Sources: Haws' Merchant Fleets in Profile; Bonsor's North Atlantic Seaway.