SS Mesaba

SS Mesaba was a UK transatlantic cargo liner. She was launched in Ireland in 1897 as Winifreda, and made her maiden voyage to New York in 1898. Later that year she changed owners, and was renamed Mesaba.

The ship was designed to carry 120 first class passengers and 800 cattle, and to cross the North Atlantic in ten days. She was built for Leyland Line, for use in the Wilson and Furness-Leyland Line (W&FL) joint service. However, within months of her completion, Atlantic Transport Line (ATL) bought her. She spent almost her entire career in ATL ownership.

In 1909, ATL took delivery of the new liner SS Minnewaska, and relegated Mesaba to be held in reserve. In 1912, Mesaba sent a wireless telegraph signal to RMS Titanic, warning her of sea ice. On three occasions between 1912 and 1914, ATL loaned Mesaba to Red Star Line.

In 1918, a German U-boat sank Mesaba by torpedo in the Irish Sea, killing 20 members of her crew.