What's the meaning of s.s. on ships names?

Question

What's the meaning of s.s. on ships names?

Answer 1

it means steam ship....never sailing ship, which as was said, is SV.sailing vessel......to tell the difference between the two......very important, for under the Navigation Rules, sailing ships have right of way over power driven boats.

SS used to stand for s***w Steamer, ( a ship driven by a propeller,  to differentiate it from PS, Paddle Steamer a ship driven by paddle wheels. Since we haven't seen and PS in 100 years or so, it is now understood to mean Steam Ship. MV is motor vessel......ie its driven by diesel engines; RMS is Royal Mail Ship, USS is United States Ship ( Navy)

Answer 2

SS is for Steamship and is VERY rare today... the more common is MV for Motor Vessel.

I lived aboat my SV for ten years, and served aboard numerous USS vessels over 15 years...

Answer 3

As others have said it means "steam ship" but is not used much anymore.  It does not ever mean "sailing ship".  SV is used for sailboats (sailing vessel).  Most ships are MV now - motor vessels - not SS - steam ships.

Answer 4

SS- Steamship or Sailing Ship

Answer 5

steam ship

Answer 6

SS=Steam Ship

SV=Sailing Vessel

HMS= His/Her Majesty's Ship

USS=United States Ship