SS Moreton Bay

SS Moreton Bay

SS Moreton Bay Museum Victoria Collection
History
Name	SS Moreton Bay
Owner	Aberdeen & Commonwealth Line Ltd
Builder	Vickers Ltd, Barrow-in-Furness
Yard number	573
Launched	23 Apr 1921
Completed	18 Nov 1921
In service	7 Dec 1921
Out of service	13 Apr 1957
Fate	broken up April 1957
General characteristics
Type	Passenger ship (emigrants)
Tonnage	14,193 tons
Length	161.73m (530.6ft)
Beam	20.81m (68.3ft)
Depth	12.15m (39.9ft) draught 10.106m (33ft 2in)
Propulsion	twin screw
Speed	16 knots (29.63km/h)
Capacity	542 tourist class, crew of 216

Remarks

Her maiden voyage was from London to Brisbane. She was to later collide with MV Margit Siemers, in the Thames and was found to be responsible by a Court of Enquiry. On her next voyage she was again in a collision, this time with SS Chemnitz. In 1928 she was sold to the White Star Line in London, before being on sold in 1933 to the Aberdeen & Commonwealth Line. Requisitioned by the Australian Government for service during WW2. Between 1939 and 1941 she served as an Armed Merchant Cruiser, before being converted to transport troops. Took part in the Madagascar, North African and European campaigns. Her only serious mishap was hitting the quay at Algiers when she was abandoned by her tugs during an air raid.

In 1946 she reverted to servicing the London to Sydney route. She was fitted out to carry 514 in Tourist class. Her final sailing took place on 30 Nov 1956 before being sent to the breakers on 13 Apr 1957.

Soldiers carried

Madang, New Guinea to Bougainville 16 - 30 December 1944

• Edward Charles Vickers

Singapore to Fremantle 15 - 24 Aug 1945

• Eric Raymond Willison