HMAT A54 Runic
From Our Contribution
 AWM Photo P00707.027 | |
 State Library of Victoria | |
| History | |
|---|---|
| Name | HMAT A54 Runic |
| Owner | Oceanic Steam Navigation Co Ltd, Liverpool (White Star Line) |
| Builder | Harland and Wolff, Belfast |
| Yard number | 332 |
| Launched | 25 Oct 1900 |
| Completed | 22 Dec 1900 |
| In service | 13 Jan 1901 |
| Out of service | early 1930 |
| In service | 1931 |
| Out of service | 1940 |
| Reclassified | Whale mother ship |
| Fate | Torpedoed and sunk 30 miles (48 km) off Malin Head, Galway, Ireland |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Passenger / cargo steamship |
| Tonnage | 12,490 tons |
| Length | 550 ft (167.64m) |
| Beam | 63.4 ft (19.32m) |
| Propulsion | twin screw |
| Speed | 13 knots (24.08 kph) |
| Capacity | 400 x 3rd class, 100,000carcusses mutton; 20,000 bales wool |
Contents
- 1 Remarks
- 2 Soldiers carried
- 2.1 Alexandria to Fremantle 11 April - 14 May 1915
- 2.2 Sydney to Alexandria 20 January - 26 February 1916
- 2.3 Port Tewfik (Suez) to Fremantle 11 Apr 1916
- 2.4 Melbourne to Plymouth via Capetown 20 June - 10 August 1916
- 2.5 England to Fremantle 4 May 1917 - ?? June 1917
- 2.6 England to Fremantle 20 December 1917 - 12 February 1918
- 2.7 Sydney to England 22 March - 24 May 1918
- 2.8 England to Fremantle 23 September - 7 November 1918
- 2.9 England to Australia 2 January - 8 February 1919
- 2.10 England to Fremantle 27 April - 10 June 1919
- 2.11 England to Australia 20 December 1919 - 29 January 1920
- 2.12 Other Voyages
Remarks
Owned by the Oceanic Steam Navigation Co Ltd, Liverpool (White Star Line). Runic initially remained in commercial service after the outbreak of the First World War in August 1914, but on 21 January 1915 she was commissioned by the Australian government as a transport ship and was given the designation HMAT (His Majesty's Australian Transport) A54. Leased by the Commonwealth until 27 Nov 1917. Completed six voyages from Australia before her management shifted to the British Admiralty and at least nine voyages carrying troops to Australia (three post Armistice).
Released back into commercial service on 10 April 1919, when she returned to the Australian service. In October 1921 Runic was sent back to Harland & Wolff for her passenger accommodation to be reconditioned. On 3 November 1928 when she was on an extended voyage to Glasgow, Scotland she collided with HMS London causing minor damage to her stern. Runic made her last voyage to Australia for White Star in December 1929, following her return she was laid up for disposal after nearly 29 years of service
In 1930 Runic was sold and converted into a whaling factory ship and renamed New Sevilla. She remained in service in this role until September 1940 when she was torpedoed and sunk off the Irish coast enroute to Antarctica. 282 crew were saved, but two lives were lost. The survivors were picked up by HMS Arabis and the Icelandic trawler Belgaum and landed at Belfast.
Soldiers carried
Alexandria to Fremantle 11 April - 14 May 1915
Sydney to Alexandria 20 January - 26 February 1916
Embarked in Fremantle on 29 January
- William Allan Bovell
- George Conway MID
- † Walter Stanley Fisher
- Jack Hayden Gibson
- † Edward (Ned) Gray
- Frank Halliday
- † Albert Thomas Ticklie MM
Port Tewfik (Suez) to Fremantle 11 Apr 1916
Melbourne to Plymouth via Capetown 20 June - 10 August 1916
England to Fremantle 4 May 1917 - ?? June 1917
- James Candish
- James Henry Davidson - commenced journey on the Runic, completed it on the Somali
- John Feast
England to Fremantle 20 December 1917 - 12 February 1918
Sydney to England 22 March - 24 May 1918
England to Fremantle 23 September - 7 November 1918
England to Australia 2 January - 8 February 1919
England to Fremantle 27 April - 10 June 1919
England to Australia 20 December 1919 - 29 January 1920
Other Voyages
* 12 February 1915 from Sydney & 19 February 1915 from Melbourne * 9 September 1915 from Sydney, New South Wales