Yesterday, I mentioned that Canadian Pacific owned twenty ocean liners that carried the name “empress.” But is also owned a confusing number of other ocean liners, including the duchess series, the mont series, the -n series (ships whose names ended with an “n,” and usually “ian”), the beaver series, and a few that didn’t seem to be part of a series. Even more confusing, CP often changed ship names; for example, two duchesses were upgraded to empresses and one empress was downgraded to a mont. One ship was registered by five different names in CP service, though it only sailed under three of them.
Canadian Pacific Passenger Ships
Name | Tons GRT | Length | Beam | Knots | First/Saloon | Second/Cabin | Third/Tourist | Steerage | Original Owner | Launched | Maiden CP voyage | Route | Disposition | Year |
Batavia | 2,549 | 327 | 39 | 11 | 54 | 51 | 624 | | Cunard | 1870 | 11 Feb 1887 | Pacific | Upton Line | 1891 |
Abyssinia | 3,651 | 364 | 42 | 22 | 200 | | 1,050 | | Cunard | 1870 | 31 May 1887 | Pacific | Returned to previous owner | 1891 |
Parthia | 3,167 | 361 | 40 | 11 | 200 | | 1,050 | | Cunard | 1870 | | Pacific | Returned to previous owner | 1891 |
Sardinain | 4,376 | 400 | 42 | 13 | 120 | | 850 | | Allen | 1874 | 1915 | Atlantic | Became hulk | 1920 |
Athenian | 3,877 | 365 | 46 | 12 | 120 | 90 | 50 | | Union Steamship | 1881 | 1898 | Pacific | Scrapped | 1907 |
Pomeranian | 4,364 | 381 | 44 | 12 | 40 | 60 | 1,000 | | Allen | 1882 | 1915 | Atlantic | Torpedo | 1918 |
Tartar | 4,339 | 377 | 47 | 14 | 170 | 60 | 50 | | Union Steamship | 1883 | Mar-12-1905 | Pacific | Collision | 1907 |
Carthaginian | 4,215 | 386 | 45 | 12 | 64 | 32 | 500 | | Allen | 1884 | Mar-29-1905 | Atlantic | Struck mine | 1917 |
Empress of Japan | 5,905 | 456 | 51 | 17.5 | 120 | 50 | 600 | | CP | 1890 | 11 April 1891 | Pacific | Sold | 1925 |
Empress of India | 5,905 | 456 | 51 | 17.5 | 120 | 50 | 600 | | CP | 1890 | 8 February 1891 | Pacific | Sold | 1914 |
Empress of China | 5,905 | 456 | 51 | 17.5 | 120 | 50 | 600 | | CP | 1891 | 15 july 1891 | Pacific | Wrecked | 1911 |
Montrose | 5,431 | 444 | 52 | | 13 | 70 | 1,800 | | Dempster | 1897 | 1903 | Atlantic | War requisition | 1914 |
Montcalm | 5,478 | 445 | 53 | 13 | | 70 | 1,800 | | Dempster | 1897 | 1903 | Atlantic | War requisition | 1914 |
Monterey | 5,455 | 445 | 52 | 13 | | 70 | 1,800 | | Dempster | 1897 | 1903 | Atlantic | Wrecked | 1903 |
Monteagle/Belton | 5,498 | 445 | 52 | 13 | | 97 | 1,200 | | Dempster | 1898 | 1903 | Pacific | War requisition | 1916 |
Scotian/Marglen | 10,319 | 515 | 60 | 14 | | 550 | 1,150 | | Allen | 1898 | 1915 | Atlantic | Scrapped | 1926 |
Sacandinavian | 11,394 | 555 | 59 | 14 | 200 | 200 | | 800 | Allen | 1898 | 1915 | Atlantic | Scrapped | 1923 |
Montezuma | 7,345 | 485 | 59 | 13 | | | 500 | | Dempster | 1899 | 1903 | Atlantic | War requisition | 1914 |
Montfort | 5,481 | 445 | 52 | 12 | 15 | | | | Dempster | 1899 | 1903 | Atlantic | War requisition | 1914 |
Montreal | 6,960 | 469 | 56 | 12 | 12 | | | | Dempster | 1899 | 1903 | Atlantic | War requisition | 1915 |
Sicilian/Bruton | 6,224 | 430 | 54 | 12 | 50 | 150 | 400 | | Allen | 1899 | 1916 | Atlantic | Scrapped | 1925 |
Lake Champlain/Ruthenia | 7,392 | 446 | 52 | 13 | 100 | 80 | 500 | | CP | 1900 | Apr-14-1903 | Atlantic | War requisition | 1914 |
Tunisian/Marburn | 10,576 | 500 | 59 | 14 | 240 | 220 | 1,000 | | Allen | 1900 | 1915 | Atlantic | Scrapped | 1928 |
Pretorian | 6,436 | 437 | 53 | 13 | | 280 | 900 | | Allen | 1900 | 1915 | Atlantic | Laid up | 1922 |
Corinthian | 6,227 | 430 | 54 | 12 | | 280 | 900 | | Allen | 1900 | 1916 | Atlantic | Wrecked | 1918 |
Leke Erie/Tyrolia | 7,550 | 446 | 52 | 13 | 100 | 80 | 500 | | CP | 1900 | | Atlantic | War requisition | 1914 |
Lake Michigan | 8,200 | 469 | 56 | 12 | | 350 | | 1,200 | CP | 1901 | 1903 | Atlantic | Torpedo | 1918 |
Mount Temple | 8,790 | 485 | 59 | 12 | | | 500 | | Dempster | 1901 | 1903 | Atlantic | War requisition | 1914 |
Ionian | 8,265 | 470 | 57 | 14 | 131 | 160 | | 800 | Allen | 1901 | 1915 | Atlantic | Mine | 1917 |
Lake Manitoba | 8,850 | 469 | 56 | 12 | 120 | 130 | 500 | | CP | 1901 | | Atlantic | Sold after fire | 1918 |
Virginian | 10,757 | 520 | 60 | 18 | 426 | 286 | | | Allen | 1904 | 1916 | Atlantic | Sold | 1918 |
Victorian/Marlock | 10,629 | 520 | 60 | 18 | 346 | 344 | 1,000 | | Allen | 1904 | 1917 | Atlantic | Scrapped | 1929 |
Empress of Britain/Montroyal | 14,188 | 550 | 65 | 18 | 310 | 470 | 750 | | CP | 1905 | May-05-1906 | Atlantic | Scrapped | 1930 |
Empress of Scotland | 24,581 | 678 | 77 | 17 | 459 | 478 | 536 | | Hamburg America | 1905 | Jan-22-1922 | Atlantic | Sold for scrap | 1930 |
Montreal | 9,720 | 476 | 55 | 16 | | 332 | 990 | | Hamburg America | 1906 | 1920 | Atlantic | Laid up | 1927 |
Empress of Ireland | 14,191 | 550 | 65 | 18 | 310 | 470 | 750 | | CP | 1906 | Jun-29-1906 | Atlantic | Collision sank | 1914 |
Corsican/Marvale | 11,436 | 500 | 61 | 16 | 208 | 298 | 1,000 | | Allen | 1907 | 1916 | Atlantic | Wrecked | 1923 |
Grampian | 9,598 | 486 | 60 | 15 | 210 | 250 | 1,000 | | Allen | 1907 | 1916 | Atlantic | Fire | 1926 |
Empress of China(2)/Empress of India(2)/Montlaurier/Monteith/Montnairn | 17,500 | 590 | 68 | 16 | 416 | 338 | 1,000 | | North German Lloyd | 1907 | 1921 | Atlantic | Scrapped | 1929 |
Empress of Russia | 16,810 | 550 | 68 | 19 | 284 | 100 | | 808 | CP | 1912 | Apr-01-1913 | Pacific | War requisition | 1914 |
Empress of Asia | 16,908 | 570 | 68 | 19 | 284 | 100 | | 808 | CP | 1912 | Jun-14-1913 | Pacific | War requisition | 1914 |
Miniota | 4,928 | 420 | 55 | | 12 | | | | Pyman | 1913 | 1916 | Atlantic | Torpedo | 1917 |
Empress of France | 18,481 | 571 | 72 | 18 | 287 | 504 | 848 | | Allen | 1913 | Sep-26-1919 | Atlantic | Sold | 1931 |
Empress of China(2)/Empress of Austalia | 21,860 | 590 | 75 | 17 | 400 | 144 | 632 | | Hamburg America | 1913 | Jun-02-1922 | Pacific | War requisition | 1939 |
Calgarian | 17,515 | 569 | 70 | 18 | 280 | 500 | 900 | | Allen | 1913 | | Atlantic | War requisition | 1914 |
Missanabie | 12,469 | 501 | 64 | 15 | | 520 | 1,138 | | CP | 1914 | Oct-07-1914 | Atlantic | Torpedo | 1918 |
Metagama | 12,420 | 501 | 64 | 15 | | 520 | 1,138 | | CP | 1914 | Mar-26-1915 | Atlantic | Laid up | 1930 |
Melita | 3,967 | 520 | 67 | 17 | | 550 | 1,200 | | CP | 1917 | 1918 | Atlantic | Sold | 1935 |
Minnedosa | 15,186 | 520 | 67 | 17 | | 550 | 1,200 | | CP | 1917 | 1918 | Atlantic | Sold | 1927 |
Montcalm(3) | 16,418 | 546 | 70 | 16 | | 542 | | 1,268 | CP | 1920 | Jan-17-1922 | Atlantic | War requisition | 1939 |
Montmorency/Montrose | 16,401 | 546 | 70 | 16 | | 542 | 1,268 | | CP | 1920 | May-05-1922 | Atlantic | War requisition | 1939 |
Empress of Canada | 21,516 | 625 | 78 | 18 | 453 | 126 | 168 | 926 | CP | 1920 | May-05-1922 | Pacific | War requisition | 1939 |
Montclare | 16,314 | 546 | 70 | 16 | | 542 | 1,268 | | CP | 1921 | Aug-18-1922 | Atlantic | War requisition | 1939 |
Empress of Australia(2) | 17,707 | 552 | 72 | | 16 | | 500 | | French Line as De Grasse | 1924 | 1952 | Atlantic | Sold | 1956 |
Beaverford | 10,042 | 503 | 62 | 14 | 12 | | | | CP | 1927 | Jan-21-1928 | Atlantic | War requisition | 1940 |
Beaverhill | 10,041 | 503 | 62 | 14 | 12 | | | | CP | 1927 | Feb-18-1928 | Atlantic | War requisition | 1940 |
Beaverbrae | 10,041 | 503 | 62 | 14 | 12 | | | | CP | 1927 | Mar-15-1928 | Atlantic | War requisition | 1940 |
Duchess of Atholl | 20,119 | 582 | 75 | 18 | | 580 | 486 | 510 | CP | 1927 | Jul-13-1928 | Atlantic | War requisition | 1939 |
Beaverdale | 9,957 | 503 | 62 | 14 | 12 | | | | CP | 1927 | 1 Feburary 1928 | Atlantic | War requisition | 1939 |
Beaverburn | 9,874 | 503 | 62 | 14 | 12 | | | | CP | 1927 | | Atlantic | Torpedo | 1940 |
Duchess of Bedford/Empress of France | 20,123 | 582 | 75 | 18 | | 580 | 486 | 510 | CP | 1928 | Jun-01-1928 | Atlantic | War requisition | 1939 |
Duchess of Richmond/Empress of Canada(2) | 20,022 | 582 | 75 | 18 | | 580 | 486 | 510 | CP | 1928 | Jan-26-1929 | Atlantic | War requisition | 1940 |
Duchess of York | 20,021 | 582 | 75 | 18 | | 580 | 486 | 510 | CP | 1928 | Mar-22-1929 | Atlantic | War requisition | 1940 |
Empress of Japan(2)/Empress of Scotland(2) | 26,032 | 644 | 84 | 21 | 458 | 205 | 100 | 510 | CP | 1929 | Jun-14-1930 | Pacific | War requisition | 1939 |
Empress of Britain | 42,348 | 761 | 98 | 24 | 452 | 260 | 470 | | CP | 1930 | May-27-1931 | Atlantic | War requisition | 1939 |
Beaverbrae(2) | 9,034 | 469 | 60 | 16 | | 74 | | 699 | Hamburg America | 1938 | Feb-08-1948 | Atlantic | Sold | 1954 |
Beaverburn(2) | 9,875 | 476 | 64 | 16 | 12 | | | | UK War Dept. Empire Captain | 1944 | Apr-29-1905 | Atlantic | Sold | 1960 |
Beaverford(2) | 9,881 | 476 | 64 | 16 | | | | | UK War Dept. Empire Kitchener | 1944 | Apr-29-1905 | Atlantic | Sold | 1962 |
Beaverdell/Mapledell | 9,901 | 476 | 64 | 16 | | | | | CP | 1945 | Feb-28-1946 | Atlantic | Sold | 1963 |
Beaverglen | 9,824 | 476 | 64 | 16 | 12 | | | | CP | 1945 | May-24-1946 | Atlantic | Sold | 1963 |
Beaverlodge | 9,904 | 476 | 64 | 15 | 12 | | | | Furness Withy | 1946 | 1952 | Atlantic | Sold | 1960 |
Beaverlake | 9,824 | 476 | 64 | 16 | | | | | CP | 1946 | Oct-25-1946 | Atlantic | Sold | 1962 |
Beavercove/Maplecove | 9,824 | 476 | 64 | 16 | | | | | CP | 1946 | Sep-03-1947 | Atlantic | Sold | 1963 |
Empress of Briain(3) | 25,516 | 640 | 85 | 20 | 160 | | 894 | | CP | 1955 | Apr-20-1956 | Atlantic | Sold | 1964 |
Empress of England | 25,585 | 640 | 85 | 20 | 160 | | 894 | | CP | 1957 | Apr-18-1957 | Atlantic | Sold | 1970 |
Empress of Canada(3) | 27,300 | 650 | 76 | 20 | 192 | | 856 | | CP | 1961 | Apr-24-1961 | Atlantic | Sold | 1972 |
Fortunately, a book published in December 2022 helps clear up the confusion. Canadian Pacific Ships by Ian Collard includes about 50 pages of text with black-and-white photos, 24 pages of color photos, and more than 80 pages listing and describing what is apparently every ship ever owned by Canadian Pacific, including ships working the Great Lakes and British Columbia coast, riverboats, cargo ships, and more. Continue reading →