Why do ships have 'S.S.' written before their own names?

Question

for e.g: S.S.XYz...

Answer 1

That stood for Steam Ship.

Answer 2

steam ship

when diesel engines came along they changed it to MV for motor vessel

Answer 3

I agree   sailing ship became  Steam ship  and that became

MV  for Motor vessle

Answer 4

The first usage of the letters S.S. stood for sailing ship- later it stood for steam ship- then the letters M.S came into play- this stood for motor ship.

Answer 5

super sport?   i think its state ship...but dont quote me

Answer 6

It is part of the Documentation/Naming process that is done by the Country of origin.  In the U.S. the Coast Guard does the documentation of U.S. Registated Ships and vessels.

S.S. Stood for Steam Ships (Sailing ships for some Countries)

M.V. Stands for Motor Vessels

P.V. Stands for Passenger Vessel

F.V. Stands for Fishing Vessel

and so forth.

Nice question!