HMAT A72 Beltana
From Our Contribution
 | |
 l to r: Medic, Ascanius, Beltana, and Maloja in Adelaide's outer harbour 24 Sep 1914 - South Australian Government Photo | |
| History | |
|---|---|
| Name | HMAT A72 Beltana |
| Owner | Peninsular & Oriental Steam Navigation Co |
| Builder | Caird & Co, Greenock |
| Yard number | 319 |
| Completed | 1912 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | passenger linwe |
| Tonnage | 11,167 tons |
| Length | 500.1 ft (152.43m) |
| Beam | 62.2 ft (18.96m) |
| Depth | 37.8 ft (11.52m) |
| Propulsion | twin screw |
| Speed | 14 knots (25.03 kmph) |
| Capacity | 302 one-class plus 250 temporary berths |
Contents
Remarks
Owned by the Peninsular & Orient Steam Navigation Co, Ltd, London. Used on the London to Cape Town, Melbourne and Sydney route prior to WW1.
Leased by the Commonwealth until 14 Sep 1917 during which time she made at least five journeys between Australia and Egypt or England. Her management was then transferred to the British Admiralty which transferred her to the North Atlantic run, transporting US personnel to Europe.
In 1919 she resumed her Australian service via Suez, until in May 1930 when she was sold to Japan with the intention of being turned into a whale factory ship. However, she was laid up and eventually scrapped in 1933.
Soldiers carried
Sydney to Devonport, England 13 May 1916 - 9 Jul 1916
England to Fremantle 17 March - 5 May 1917
England to Fremantle 18 October - 3 December 1917
Other Voyages
- 9 Nov 1915 from Sydney
- 25 Nov 1916 from Sydney
- 16 Jun 1917 from Sydney
- 3 Jun 1919 from Plymouth to Adelaide (15 July), Melbourne (19 July) & Sydney (20 July)