TSS Retford was a passenger and cargo vessel built for the Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway in 1883.

[1] The ship was built by Earle's Shipbuilding in Hull and launched on 20 January 1883 by Miss Norfolk of Grimsby.

[2] She had a top gallant forecastle, bridge and long poop extending to the bridge and there was accommodation under the poop for 30 first-class passengers, the second-class passengers accommodation was forward, and the emigrant’s quarter in the fore ‘tween decks.

On one of her early sailing, she made the run between Rotterdam quay and Grimsby dock in 15.5 hours.

[4] In 1903 she rescued the 17 crew of sister ship Huddersfield which had sunk after a collision with the Uto in the River Scheldt.