Built as a steel hulled passenger- cargo vessel under yard No. 263 by Harland & Wolff, Ltd. at Belfast for the Union SS Co. Ltd., Southampton.
1893 Launched under the name GOTH. One sister the GAUL.
Tonnage 4.738 gross, 3.035 net, dim. 122.07 x 14.38 x 8.13m.
Powered by two 3-cyl. triple expansion steam engines, 2.200 ihp, speed 12½ knots, twin screws.
Passenger accommodation for 52 first, 66 second and 60 third class passengers.
She was designed for the intermediate service between Southampton and South Africa.
When Union SS Co. merged with the Castle Mail Packet Co. Ltd., on 8 March 1900 she was transferred to the new-formed company Union-Castle Mail Steamship Co. of Southampton.
Thereafter used as a Boer War troopship until 1902, when she returned to her normal service.
October 1910 used in the round Africa service together with the GUELP.
December 1913 bought by the Royal Mail Line, renamed in COBEQUID, named after a Canadian river. Her white hull was painted black as seen on the stamp.
The Royal Mail Line upgraded its service between Canada and the West Indies and the COBEQUID was used for this service.
23 November 1914 made her maiden voyage for her new owner, under command of Captain John.Howson.
13 January 1915 she was lost on her first homeward bound voyage from Dermerare to St Johns, New Brunswick, loaded with sugar she struck Trinity Ledge off Yarmouth, Nova Scotia in the Bay of Fundy.
Later it was stated that the buoy covering Trinity Ledge not was lighted, and that it was approximately a mile out of its original position, and this was given that the COBEQUID struck the ledge which tore a hole in her bottom.
She grounded on about low tide and during the next high tide she got flooded, and her boilers had to be put out to prevent an explosion. An S.O.S. and a position were given, which at that moment they thought was Brier Island. When the water raised in the hull the crew and passengers were forced to seek shelter on the upper decks. During high tide the waves broke over the decks, and the lifeboats on the weather side were smashed to pieces, the other lifeboats were made ready for launching by the crew when they were needed in case not any help arrived in time.
Without heating it became bitterly cold on board, they used a makeshift stove, using furniture from the smoking room for fuel.
All passengers and crew were at least rescued by the steamers WESTPORT III and JOHN N.CANN.
Montserrat 1984 90c sg616, scott 540
Sources; Register of Merchant Ships Completed in 1893. Royal Mail Line and Merchant Fleets in profile both by Duncan Haws. http://fp.redduster.f9.co.uk/UNION8.htm http://www.rootsweb.com/~nsdigby/gallery/cobequid.htm