SS Goldblum Castle

### Maiden voyage

S.S "Goldblum Castle" was laid down in 1910 at Holt shipyards and was launched later that year. She was fitted out in North Harbor however her planned maiden voyage had to be delayed 2 weeks due to a devastating fire that ripped through her interiors and caused her aft promenade to partially collapse. Thankfully, it was quickly repaired however her delay resulted in her running mate's maiden voyage being moved to February of 1912. She departed on her maiden in January of 1912 with 16 passengers and 7 crew. Unfortunately, on the final day of her voyage, she caught fire a second time and was beached near Fishing village. She was salvaged and went back into service in May of 1912.

### 1923 incident and loss

She rammed a fishing trawler in heavy fog in 1923. She almost sank but survived and rescued the crew of the fishing trawler after it quickly sank. She served until 1941 when she was enroute to Holt town and was torpedoed and sunk by SM-91 during the Second World War and sank with the loss of 15 passengers.

### Review

On her maiden voyage photographer and journalist Robert Payne travelled aboard, writing an article about his experiences of the vessel, which was published in the Payne Weekly. Below is a transcript:

> **The maiden excursion aboard the new steamer “Goldblum Castle”**
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> *Indeed it is a rare sight to behold, to have such an opportunity to sail aboard an excursion vessel that is just as comfortable as that of an ocean steamship. I, Robert Payne, am usually commissioned to photograph maritime scenes aboard ocean steamships, primarily the exceedingly large steamships from the Greyhound Steamship Line, including the recent proposals for a “Royal Albatross” steamer, or ships from the Gem Steamship Line, River Steamship Line, Atlantis Steamship Line, and so on...*
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> *The new Transoceanic Sawyer steamship “Goldblum Castle” is a rare instance, in which the smaller excursion vessel is just as decorated as would be seen aboard a large ocean steamer. The chairman of the company invited me to sail aboard the vessel on her maiden trip, of which i gladly accepted. I stepped aboard the deluxe excursion, with my own loving family also in attendance, and was impressed in regards to her design. The maritime enthusiast undoubtedly is aware of the excursion steamship having an outdated, Victorian look to them. This vessel is unique, as she is extraordinarily modern. Her appearance, reminding me of vessels from the intermediate shipping company, River Line.*
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> *The interior is open, and extraordinarily lavish. Each of the public rooms are connected, and large skylights, and bay windows illuminate each space brilliantly. Side lights on the panels, made of the finest brass, illuminate each compartment well. The companionway is although cramped, serves the purpose. Proceeding downwards, one will encounter a vestibule (that contains cabins), that leads directly into the grand saloon. The saloon is a large, and ample space. The panels are of the finest teak wood, and the chairs, of the finest silk. The cabins located within the vestibule connecting the companionway and saloon, are very comfortable. The interior fittings are identical to that of the grand saloon, and the beds within it are exceedingly comfortable - more comfortable then some of the bedding seen aboard ocean steamships.*
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> Lifeboat drill incident
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> *During the voyage, a lifeboat drill was conducted on behalf of the captain, and crew. The first boat was lowered to deck level, and was raised. The second boat however, was lowered to the waterline. Misfortune then struck, for the davit chains snapped, and one end of the boat dropped, and spilled passengers over the side. What horror! It is with great pleasure that I can inform however, that not a single soul was harmed. Netting was draped over the side of the vessel, where passengers dropped into the sea scurried aboard. I, speaking on a personal note, was glad that I made the decision, to leave my family in the saloon, after watching this boat drop. Although this was much to the inconvenience of the passengers, the crew was prepared with warm clothes, and hot tea to warm the passengers up. The forward end of the boat was practically splintered, and as a result, the boat was dropped by the stern end, and was abandoned. A radio transmission was sent out, where the boat was recovered later that day by a passing cable steamer.*
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> Arrival
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> *The following morning, the steamship arrived in port. Where we disembarked from the ship smoothly, and orderly. The Goldblum Castle indeed was a great pleasure to sail aboard, for it proved to me that luxury can indeed be implemented aboard excursion boats, the same luxury as seen aboard Greyhound Steamers, Red Ruby Steamers, Etc.. Hours after our arrival, my family and I toured the destination we arrived to, then hours afterwards, re-embarked aboard the magnificent Goldblum castle for our return voyage. The maiden voyage of the Goldblum Castle, although rough during the boat drill, was exceedingly comfortable, and perhaps will usher in a new age of excursion travel.*
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