SS Stratheden
From Our Contribution
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| History | |
|---|---|
| Name | SS Strateden |
| Owner | Peninsular & Orient Steam Navigation Company |
| Builder | Vickers-Armstrong, Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria |
| Launched | 10 Jun 1937 |
| Completed | 16 Dec 1937 |
| In service | 1938 |
| Out of service | 1968 |
| Fate | sold for scrap |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Ocean Liner |
| Tonnage | 23,722 tons |
| Length | 639.5ft (194.9m) |
| Beam | 82.2ft (25.1m) |
| Depth | 33.6ft (10.2m), draught (30.2ft (9.19m) |
| Propulsion | twin screw |
| Speed | 20 knots (37 km/h) |
| Capacity | 532 x 1st class, and 454 x 2nd class passengers |
Contents
Remarks
After less than 2 years service during peace time, Stratheden was taken over by the British Ministry for War Transport on 19 Mar 1940 and converted to a troopship. She made several trips between Australia and the Middle East in 1940, and at the conclusion of European hostilities, returned RAAF personnel from the Middle East to Australia.
In 1947, following a complete refit the Stratheden returned to its role as a mail steamer connecting Australia and India with the UK. In the early 1960's she was converted to a 'one class' cruise liner, capable of carrying 1,200 passengers. Taken out of service in early 1964, she was sold to a Greek shipping line who renamed her Henrietta Latsi and in 1966 to Marianna Latsi. In 1960 she was sent to the breakers yard at La Spezia.
Soldiers carried
Fremantle to Liverpool 31 May - 18 July 1940
- John Henry (Jack) O'Meagher 2/2nd Australian Foresty Company
- Hubert James (Jim) Gale 2/3rd Australian Railway Construction Company