SS Takliwa
From Our Contribution
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| History | |
|---|---|
| Name | SS Takliwa |
| Owner | British India Steam Navigation Co. Ltd |
| Builder | Barclay, Curie & Co Ltd. |
| Yard number | 601 |
| Launched | 19 May 1924 |
| Completed | 1924 |
| In service | July 1924 |
| Out of service | 15 Oct 1945 |
| Fate | wrecked 16 Oct 1945 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Cargo liner |
| Tonnage | 7,936 tons |
| Length | 450 ft 7 in (137.34m) |
| Beam | 60 ft 2 in (18.34m) |
| Depth | draught 29 ft 2 in (8.89m) |
| Propulsion | twin screw |
| Speed | 16 knots (29.6 km/h) |
| Capacity | 56 x 1st class; 80 x 2nd; 3,302 deck class |
Remarks
Built to service the Calcutta - Japan route from 1924 - 1933 after which she was used on the UK - Mombasa - Bombay route. Takliwa was at Bombay when the Second World War started. In 1940 she had been taken over by the British Ministry of War Transport. Between September 1939 and July 1943 she sailed the Indian Ocean before being used in the Mediterranean. Used as a troop ship until 1945 when she was converted to a hospital ship to assist in the repatriation of POWs from Hong Kong to India.
On 16 Oct 1945, whilst repatriating ex-PoWs from Hong Kong to Madras, Takliwa ran aground at Indira Point, Great Nicobar, Indonesia and caught fire. A distress call was issued which was answered by HMS Sainfoin. All 1,083 people on board were rescued. Takliwa burnt out and broke up, a total loss.