The Grecian was built at Sunderland, England, in 1879, and was 360 feet long, 4o feet 2 inches beam, 31 feet deep, and of about 3,481 gross tons. In February 1907 the Allen line freight steamer Grecian was bound, for Halifax, N. S., when she went ashore near the entrance to the harbor of Halifax during a snow squall. The vessel struck on the rocks, and although attempts were made to float her off they were unsuccessful before a severe storm on the February 17th drove her still further on shore and broke her in two. The hull amidships was practically washed away, opening up the engine and boiler rooms. Captain Harrison, who commanded the ship, testified at the inquiry into the loss of the vessel that there was a slight deviation of the compass. If he had not taken a pilot on board he would not have attempted to come into the harbor at that time.