Adriatic was the last of White Star's turn-of-the-century "Big Four", and
the only one of the four which was never the world's largest ship. This
ship, the second with her name, was built by Harland and Wolff, Belfast, and
launched in 1906.
Adriatic made her maiden voyage from Liverpool to New York on 8 May 1907,
but her return was to Southampton, as White Star moved its principal terminal
there. Adriatic made White Star's first Southampton departure on 5 June; she
was joined by Teutonic, Majestic (I) and Oceanic (II) in providing a weekly
Southampton-New York service.
When Olympic came into service in 1911, Adriatic returned to the Liverpool
service, and remained there until 1919. She then spent three more years at
Southampton before returning to Liverpool in 1922.
Used extensively for cruising from 1926 on, Adriatic was converted to cabin
class in 1928 and made her last transatlantic sailing in February 1934.
Although she was transferred to Cunard-White Star when the two lines merged
in May 1934, she did not figure in their long term plans. She was laid up
after the summer cruise season in 1934 and was then sold for scrapping in
Japan. Adriatic arrived in Osaka in March 1935 for breaking-up.
Sources: Haws' Merchant Fleets; Bonsor's North Atlantic Seaway.
