The Spree was a 6,963 gross ton ship, length 463ft x beam 51.8ft, two funnels, three masts, of steel construction, single propeller giving a speed of 18 knots. There was accommodation for 244-1st, 122-2nd and 460-3rd class passengers.
She was built by AG Vulcan, Stettin, and was launched for North German Lloyd on 17th May 1890.
She began her maiden voyage on 11th Oct.1890 when she left Bremen for Southampton and New York.
On 26th Nov.1892 she fractured her propeller shaft and was towed to Queenstown (Cobh) by the Beaver Line ship Lake Huron. After repairs at Milford Haven she resumed service. She suffered the same mishap on 5th Jul.1897 and was again towed to Queenstown, this time by the Atlantic Transport Line ship Maine.
Her last Bremen - Southampton - New York sailing started on 16th Nov.1897 and she was then rebuilt to 7,840 gross tons, lengthened to 526ft, fitted with twin propellers, three funnels and two masts.
Renamed Kaiserin Maria Theresia with accommodation for 405-1st, 114-2nd and 387-3rd class passengers, she resumed Bremen - Southampton - New York voyages on 13th Mar.1900.
Her last voyage started on 26th Sep.1903, having made 29 round voyages as the KMT including 7 Mediterranean - New York sailings.
In 1904 she was sold to Russia, renamed Ural and converted to an auxiliary cruiser. She was sunk at the Battle of Tsushima on 27th May 1905.
Source: Passenger Ship History Service