SS Tempest

SS Tempest was the first ship of the Anchor Line belonging to Scottish brothers Nicol and Robert Handyside and Captain Thomas Henderson.^[1][2] The 214-foot (65 m), 866-ton ship was built as a sail-ship by Sandeman & McLaurin of Glasgow and launched on 21 December 1854.^[3] On 3 April 1855 Henderson began a maiden voyage from Glasgow to Bombay.

SS Tempest

History
Owner	Anchor Line
Port of registry	Glasgow  United Kingdom
Builder	Sandeman & McLaurin
Launched	21 December 1854
Fate	Vanished c. February 1857
General characteristics
Tonnage	866 GRT
Length	214 ft (65 m)
Beam	28 ft (8.5 m)
Draft	19 ft (5.8 m)
Propulsion	150 hp (110 kW) Steam engines

The Anchor Line decided to begin transatlantic service between Glasgow and New York City with Tempest. She was converted to a screw steamship with the fitting, by Randolf and Elder, of 150 horsepower (110 kW) engines in 1856. Her first passage left Glasgow on 11 October 1856; sailing from New York on 19 November, she returned to Glasgow after a 28-day crossing.

Her second journey departed Glasgow 27 December, mastered by Capt James Morris, with cargo and 50 passengers. She arrived in New York on 1 February. She sailed eastward on 13 February 1857 with crew, cargo and one passenger aboard.^[4] She vanished without a trace.^[1][5] Her fate remains an unsolved mystery to this day along with the 150 people that were on board.^[6][7]

Two other ships of the Anchor Line disappeared at sea; United Kingdom in 1869 and Ismailia in 1873.^[8]