SS Field Marshall
From Our Contribution
 | |
 While known as Ling Nam. National Library of Australia PIC/15611 Fairfax archive of glass plate negatives | |
| History | |
|---|---|
| Name | SS Field Marshall |
| Owner | Deutsche Ost-Afrika Linie |
| Builder | Reiherstieg Schiffswerfte & Maschinenfabrik A.G., Hamburg |
| Yard number | 410 |
| Launched | 1903 |
| In service | 1903 |
| Out of service | 19 Jul 1947 |
| Fate | ran aground (wrecked) |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Imperial Mail Steamer (German) |
| Tonnage | 6,181 tons |
| Length | 126.7m |
| Beam | 15.4m |
| Depth | 8.6m |
| Propulsion | twin screw |
| Speed | 13 Knots (24.08 km/h) |
Remarks
From it entering service until its capture, SS Field Marshall served the German colonies in east Africa until it was captured by the British at Dar es Salaam in 1916. Originally named Feldmarschall by its owners the Deutsche Ost-Afrika Linnie (German East Africa Line). Under British control, managed by the Union Castle Mail Steamship Co Ltd. Sold in 1922 to Chinese owners, it was renamed as SS Ling Nam and then in 1928 it was sold to Ho Hong Steamship Co, of Singapore, and renamed Hong Kheng. In February 1942 the ship and crew escaped from Singapore, and served the Bombay - East Africa route during the war.
On 19 Jul 1947, while carrying passengers from Rangoon to Swatow, SS Hong Kheng was wrecked, at Chilang Point, China. The American destroyer USS Myles C. Fox (DD-829), USS Hawkins (DD-873) and the British HMS Hart saved the 1.800 passengers and crew.