HMT Matatua
From Our Contribution
 Trove Australia National Library | |
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| History | |
|---|---|
| Name | HMT Matatua |
| Owner | Shaw, Savill & Albion Co Ltd, Southampton. |
| Builder | Workman Clark & Co. Ltd, Belfast |
| Yard number | 205 |
| Launched | 15 Jan 1904 |
| Completed | February 1904 |
| In service | 1904 |
| Out of service | 1940 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Passenger / cargo |
| Tonnage | 6,488 tons |
| Length | 448 ft (136.55m) |
| Beam | 56.5 ft (17.20m) |
| Depth | 30.6 ft (9.30m) |
| Propulsion | twin screw |
| Speed | 13 knots |
Remarks
Built for the Shaw Savill & Albion Line. Known in 1918 as HMNZT 111 Matatua, she carried 497 New Zealand reinforcements to the UK, arriving on 5 Dec 1918.
After the war she was returned to Shaw Savill & Albion. The Matatua was renamed SS Ilsenstein in 1928 when purchased by Arnold Bernstein. Sold to Metal Industries, Ltd in June 1939 for scrapping. The vessel was subsequently requisitioned by the Admiralty and was scuttled as a Blockship in Skerry Sound on 18th February 1940. Historical photographs clearly show the SS Ilsenstein in position next to the SS Emerald Wings