Athenic-class ocean liner

{{Short description|Three ship class of ocean liners}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2025}}

{{Infobox ship begin}} {{Infobox ship image |Ship image=Athenic-100 bg.jpg |Ship image size=300px |Ship caption={{SS|Athenic}} }} {{Infobox ship class overview |Builders=Harland & Wolff, Belfast, Ireland |Operators=White Star Line |Class before="Big Four" |Class after={{sclass|Olympic|ocean liner|4}} |Subclasses= |Built range=1902–1903 |In service range=1902–1962 |Total ships planned= |Total ships completed=3 |Total ships retired=3 |Total ships preserved= }} {{Infobox ship characteristics |Hide header= |Header caption= |Ship type=Ocean liner |Ship tonnage=app. 12,352 ton |Ship length={{convert|500.3|ft|m|abbr=on}} |Ship beam={{convert|63.3|ft|m|abbr=on}} |Ship height= |Ship draught= |Ship draft= |Ship depth= |Ship decks= |Ship deck clearance= |Ship ramps= |Ship ice class= |Ship sail plan= |Ship power= |Ship propulsion=Twin propellers (driven by Quadruple expansion engines) |Ship speed={{convert|14|kn|km/h}} |Ship capacity=690 passengers: 120 First Class, 120 Second Class, 450 Third Class |Ship crew= |Ship notes= }}

The Athenic-class ocean liners were a trio of ocean liners built by Harland & Wolff shipyard for the White Star Line in the early 20th century, designed for the profitable London to New Zealand service. The class consisted of three ships: {{SS|Athenic}}, {{SS|Corinthic|1902|6}}, and {{SS|Ionic|1903|6}}. Each was constructed with the intention of serving the passenger and cargo route between London and Liverpool to Wellington and Auckland.{{Cite web |title=Ionic (2), White Star Line |url=https://www.norwayheritage.com/p_ship.asp?sh=ioni2 |access-date=2024-08-12 |website=norwayheritage.com}} These ships were dual-purpose, equipped to carry both passengers and cargo, including refrigerated goods such as meat.{{Cite web |title=SS Athenic I, Corinthic I & Ionic II 1902 – 1903 |url=http://ssmaritime.com/SS-Athenic.htm |access-date=2024-08-12 |website=ssmaritime.com}}

In 1928, Athenic was sold to a Norwegian firm and converted into a whaling ship. Her successful conversion led to the acquisition of several other half-sisters, including the {{SS|Runic|1900|2}}, {{SS|Medic||2}}, and {{SS|Suevic||2}}, who eventually became part of the whaling industry alongside her. The SS Corinthic was scrapped in 1931. In the Second World War, the Athenic was torpedoed twice and sunk by {{GS|U-69|1940|2}} but was raised and returned to her owner both times. She was scrapped in 1962. In 1934, the Ionic was sold to the Shaw, Savill & Albion Line and was scrapped two years later.

The three vessels garnered immense respect in New Zealand, to the extent that upon the announcement of the sale of the last Athenic, the RMS Ionic, the Mayor of Auckland, Ernest Davis, requested the Shaw Savill & Albion Line to consider presenting the ship's bell to the city as a commemorative token during the vessel's final visit to New Zealand.