SS Stratheden — BrandWiki

SS Stratheden

Overview

*Stratheden (1937–64) *Henrietta Latsi (1964–66) *Marianna Latsi (1966–69)

registry
namesake	River Eden (1937–64)
owner	P&O Steam Navigation Co (1937–64) John S Latsis (1964–69)
operator	P&O-house flag.svg P&O SN Co (1937–64) Latsis Lines (1964–69)
route	Tilbury – Bombay – Colombo – Australia (1937–40)
builder	Vickers-Armstrongs, Barrow
yard number	722
launched	10 June 1937
completed	December 1937

SS Stratheden was a UK-built steam turbine ocean liner. She spent most of her career with the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company, including the Second World War when she served for six years as a troop ship.

In 1964 John S Latsis bought Stratheden, renamed her Henrietta Latsi and put her into service as a cruise ship. In 1966 he renamed her Marianna Latsi. She was laid up from 1967 and scrapped in 1969.

Stratheden was the fourth to be built of a set of five sister ships that came to be called the "Strath" class. All previous P&O steamships had black-painted hulls and funnels but the "Strath" class were painted with white hulls and buff funnels, which earned them the nickname "The Beautiful White Sisters" or just "The White Sisters".

Building

The Vickers-Armstrongs at Barrow-in-Furness built all five "Strath" class liners. The Duchess of Buccleuch and Queensberry launched Stratheden on 10 June 1937 and the ship was completed in December 1937.[1]

The "Strath" class varied very slightly in size. Stratheden had exactly the same dimensions as the fourth ship in the class, Strathallan: 639.5 ft long, 82.2 ft beam and 30 ft draught.

Troop ship

On 19 March 1940 the Ministry of Shipping requisitioned Stratheden to be a troop ship.[1] On 30 March she left Southampton for Australia, sailed via the Mediterranean and Suez Canal as usual, and reached Brisbane on 13 May. She began her return voyage from Brisbane the same day, and called at Colombo on 8–9 June.[3]

But on 10 June, the day after Stratheden left Colombo, Italy declared war on the Allies, which made the Mediterranean unsafe for Allied merchant shipping. And France capitulated on 22 June, ceding her entire Channel and Atlantic coasts to Germany, which brought shipping to and from Southampton within easier range of enemy attack.

Stratheden diverted to Cape Town, where she joined Orient Line's RMS Orion and Pacific Steam's MV Reina del Pacifico to form Convoy BC C which sailed on 24 June 1940 for Freetown in Sierra Leone.[4] There they joined three other UK merchant ships to form Convoy BC A, which the Royal Navy escorted to Liverpool, arriving on 16 July.[5]

On 5 August 1940 Stratheden left Liverpool carrying 699 passengers and 317 troops. She sailed with Convoy WS 2 via Freetown and Cape Town as far as Bombay. WS 2 included the "Strath" liner RMS Strathaird and ten other troop ships, the largest of which was Canadian Pacific's liners RMS Empress of Britain (1930).[6]

Stratheden reached Bombay on 15 September 1940 and left a week later carrying 268 passengers and 418 troops with Convoy BM 1.[7] Some of her passengers disembarked at Colombo, whence Stratheden continued with Convoy BM1 to Singapore.[8] From there she sailed unescorted via Fremantle, Adelaide and Melbourne and reached Sydney on 17 October.[3] Stratheden did not see Australia again until after the war was over, in October 1945.

Troops to Egypt

Stratheden spent most of the next two years moving troops between Britain, India, Ceylon and Egypt: sometimes in convoys but other times unescorted. In 1941 her movements varied to include calls in Trinidad in the Lesser Antilles and Halifax in Nova Scotia.[3]

In spring 1941 Stratheden carried 3,264 troops in Convoy WS 7, which included 10 troop ships carrying a total of at least 24,615 troops. WS 7 left the Clyde on 24 March, reached Freetown on 4 April and then split into sections to continue to Cape Town and Suez. WS 7 included all five of P&O's "Strath" liners,[9] and may be the only time all five sisters sailed together.

WS 7 also included P&O's RMS Viceroy of India, the French liner SS Pasteur (1938), Royal Mail Lines' RMS Andes (1939), Canadian Pacific's RMS Empress of Australia (1919), RMS Empress of Canada (1920)

Post-war P&O service

In the Second World War P&O had lost eight large passenger ships including Strathallan and Viceroy of India. Stratheden was the first of the four surviving "Strath" sisters to return to civilian service. The Ministry of Transport released Strathaird in September 1946[43] but kept Strathmore and Strathnaver in Government service until 1948.

P&O controlled Orient Line, which shared many of the same troop ship duties and suffered similarly heavy losses. The MoT released RMS Orion in April 1946, just before Stratheden.

Orient and P&O had Vickers-Amrstrongs refit Orion and Stratheden at Barrow to return to liner service, but now with more tourist class berths and fewer first class. The number of first class single cabins and special suites was reduced, crew quarters were enlarged and there were now two-berth cabins for most crew. Post-war shortages of essential materials delayed her refit, and Vickers-Armstrongs it was not until 29 May 1947 that Vickers-Armstrongs returned her to P&O.[1]

In June 1947 Stratheden began her first-post-war civilian voyage to Sydney.[1] In order to mitigate its post-war shortage of ships P&O eliminated some intermediate ports of call from its timetables. This enabled ships sailing between Britain and Australia to make four return voyages a year instead of three.

In 1950 Cunard chartered Stratheden for four return voyages between Southampton and New York. Cunard had planned to charter P&O's new SS Chusan for the but purpose, but Vickers-Armstrongs was late completing Chusan so P&O provided Stratheden as a substitute.[1]

Iason incident

On 13 March 1955 in the Mediterranean Stratheden went to the aid of the Greek trawler Iason, which was foundering in a gale with heavy sea and swell 130 km east of Cape Spartivento. At 1612 hrs Stratheden launched her number 16 boat from her port side. The boat motored close to Iason but was unable to get alongside. The trawler's crew jumped into the sea and the boat crew rescued them. Returning to Stratheden the boat was swamped by a large wave about 200 yards off the liner's port quarter and capsized.[44]

In response Stratheden launched her number 6 boat from her port side, but its motor failed to start so the ship had to recover the boat and its crew. Stratheden then came round to windward of the men in the water to launch number 1 boat and number 5 boat from her starboard side. Number 5 boat rescued from the water four survivors from Iason and three survivors from the crew of number 16 boat. Number 1 boat did not succeed in rescuing any survivors.[44]

11 crew from Iason and eight crew from Stratheden's number 16 boat were not found. The liner stayed in the area until the next morning to resume the search at first light. At 0900 hrs on 14 March the search was called off and Stratheden resumed her voyage.[44]

References

Stratheden (1937) P & O Heritage, retrieved 20 October 2020^
Lloyd's Register, Steamers & Motorships Lloyd's Register, 1939, retrieved 20 October 2020^
Arnold Hague. Ship Movements Port Arrivals/Departures, Don Kindell, ConvoyWeb, retrieved 20 October 2020^
Arnold Hague. Convoy BC.C BC Convoy Series, Don Kindell, ConvoyWeb, retrieved 20 October 2020^
Arnold Hague. Convoy BC.A BC Convoy Series, Don Kindell, ConvoyWeb, retrieved 20 October 2020^
Arnold Hague. Convoy WS.2 Shorter Convoy Series, Don Kindell, ConvoyWeb, retrieved 20 October 2020^
Arnold Hague. Convoy BM.1 BM Convoy Series, Don Kindell, ConvoyWeb, retrieved 20 October 2020^
Arnold Hague. Convoy BM.1S BM Convoy Series, Don Kindell, ConvoyWeb, retrieved 20 October 2020^
Arnold Hague. Convoy WS.7 Shorter Convoy Series, Don Kindell, ConvoyWeb, retrieved 20 October 2020^
Arnold Hague. Convoy CT.1 Shorter Convoy Series, Don Kindell, ConvoyWeb, retrieved 20 October 2020^
Arnold Hague. Convoy TC.12B TC Convoy Series, Don Kindell, ConvoyWeb, retrieved 20 October 2020^
Arnold Hague. Convoy CT.3 Shorter Convoy Series, Don Kindell, ConvoyWeb, retrieved 20 October 2020^
Arnold Hague. Convoy CM.18X Shorter Convoy Series, Don Kindell, ConvoyWeb, retrieved 20 October 2020^
Arnold Hague. Convoy NA.1 Shorter Convoy Series, Don Kindell, ConvoyWeb, retrieved 20 October 2020^
Arnold Hague. Convoy WS.16 Shorter Convoy Series, Don Kindell, ConvoyWeb, retrieved 20 October 2020^
Arnold Hague. Convoy WS.16B Shorter Convoy Series, Don Kindell, ConvoyWeb, retrieved 20 October 2020^
Arnold Hague. Convoy WS.20 Shorter Convoy Series, Don Kindell, ConvoyWeb, retrieved 20 October 2020^
Arnold Hague. Convoy WS.20A Shorter Convoy Series, Don Kindell, ConvoyWeb, retrieved 20 October 2020^
Arnold Hague. Convoy KMF.2 KMF Convoy Series, Don Kindell, ConvoyWeb, retrieved 20 October 2020^
Arnold Hague. Ship movements Port Arrivals/Departures, Don Kindell, ConvoyWeb, retrieved 20 October 2020^
Arnold Hague. Convoy KMF.4 KMF Convoy Series, Don Kindell, ConvoyWeb, retrieved 20 October 2020^
Arnold Hague. Convoy WS.26 Shorter Convoy Series, Don Kindell, ConvoyWeb, retrieved 20 October 2020^
Arnold Hague. Convoy WS.26B Shorter Convoy Series, Don Kindell, ConvoyWeb, retrieved 20 October 2020^
Arnold Hague. Convoy CF.12 Shorter Convoy Series, Don Kindell, ConvoyWeb, retrieved 20 October 2020^
Arnold Hague. Convoy CF.12A Shorter Convoy Series, Don Kindell, ConvoyWeb, retrieved 20 October 2020^
Arnold Hague. Convoy WS.31 Shorter Convoy Series, Don Kindell, ConvoyWeb, retrieved 20 October 2020^
Arnold Hague. Convoy CM.45 Shorter Convoy Series, Don Kindell, ConvoyWeb, retrieved 20 October 2020^
Arnold Hague. Convoy MKF.25 MKF Convoy Series, Don Kindell, ConvoyWeb, retrieved 20 October 2020^
Arnold Hague. Convoy KMF.27 KMF Convoy Series, Don Kindell, ConvoyWeb, retrieved 20 October 2020^
Arnold Hague. Convoy MKF.28 MKF Convoy Series, Don Kindell, ConvoyWeb, retrieved 20 October 2020^
Arnold Hague. Convoy KMF.29 KMF Convoy Series, Don Kindell, ConvoyWeb, retrieved 20 October 2020^
Arnold Hague. Convoy BA.66A Shorter Convoy Series, Don Kindell, ConvoyWeb, retrieved 20 October 2020^
Arnold Hague. Convoy MKF.30 MKF Convoy Series, Don Kindell, ConvoyWeb, retrieved 20 October 2020^
Arnold Hague. Convoy KMF.31 KMF Convoy Series, Don Kindell, ConvoyWeb, retrieved 20 October 2020^
Arnold Hague. Convoy AB.40A Shorter Convoy Series, Don Kindell, ConvoyWeb, retrieved 20 October 2020^
Arnold Hague. Convoy BA.71 Shorter Convoy Series, Don Kindell, ConvoyWeb, retrieved 20 October 2020^
Arnold Hague. Convoy MKF.32 MKF Convoy Series, Don Kindell, ConvoyWeb, retrieved 20 October 2020^
Arnold Hague. Convoy ABF.4 Shorter Convoy Series, Don Kindell, ConvoyWeb, retrieved 20 October 2020^
Arnold Hague. Convoy BAF.5 Shorter Convoy Series, Don Kindell, ConvoyWeb, retrieved 20 October 2020^
Arnold Hague. Convoy MKF.35 MKF Convoy Series, Don Kindell, ConvoyWeb, retrieved 20 October 2020^
Arnold Hague. Convoy KMF.40 KMF Convoy Series, Don Kindell, ConvoyWeb, retrieved 20 October 2020^
Arnold Hague. Convoy MKF.42 MKF Convoy Series, Don Kindell, ConvoyWeb, retrieved 20 October 2020^
Strathaird (1932) P & O Heritage, retrieved 20 October 2020^
s.s. "Stratheden " (Loss of Life) 1955^
P&O Stratheden www.pandosnco.co.uk, retrieved 2020-12-28^

Two voyages to India

On 23 January 1943 Stratheden left the Clyde for India with the P&O troop ships RMS Mooltan and Maloja. Between them they carried 13,244 troops, of whom 4,643 were aboard Stratheden. They sailed as far as Freetown in Convoy WS 26, which consisted mostly of troop ships, including QSMV Dominion Monarch, Empress of Canada, Duchess of Richmond, Mooltan, Arundel Castle, two Dutch troop ships and one Belgian. WS 26's escorts included the armed merchant cruisers Canton and Cilicia, five Royal Navy destroyers, two Australian destroyers, two Greek Navy destroyers and a frigate.[22] Convoy WS 26 divided and Stratheden continued to India in Convoy WS 26B, which reached Bombay on 17 March 1943.[23]

Stratheden began her return voyage a week later. She sailed unescorted from Bombay to Cape Town, where she joined the troop ship MV Britannic (1929) to form Convoy CF 12 to Freetown. By the time the two ships left Cape Town on 19 April, Stratheden was carrying 1,642 troops and 1,496 prisoners of war.[24] From Freetown the pair continued as Convoy CF 12A, reaching Liverpool on 10 May 1943.[25]

On 19 June 1943 Stratheden left the Clyde carrying 4,397 troops to India. Off Liverpool the next day she joined Convoy WS 31, whose largest troop ship was Stirling Castle. WS 31's escorts were led by the light cruiser HMS Uganda (66) and flotilla leader HMS Wallace (1918) and included 14 destroyers.[26] From Freetown Stratheden continued unescorted via Cape Town to Bombay, where she arrived on 13 August.[3]

On 19 August 1943 Stratheden sailed unescorted from Bombay to Durban, where she embarked 4,653 troops and on 14 September sailed for Egypt. She sailed as far as Aden with Convoy CM 45, whose largest troop ship was Stirling Castle. CM 45 was heavily escorted by the battleship HMS Ramillies (07), heavy cruiser HMS Frobisher (D81), light cruiser HMS Durban, three Royal Navy destroyers and three Australian destroyers.[27] From Aden Stratheden continued unescorted through the Suez Canal and reached Port Said on 16 October.[3]

Voyages with Strathmore

From May to October 1944 Stratheden and her sister Strathmore sailed in the same convoys.

On 5 May 1944 Stratheden left Liverpool carrying 3,132 troops and joined Convoy KMF 31, which had started from the Clyde and included at least 21 troop ships. The largest was Capetown Castle, and also among them Strathmore carrying 3,309 troops. In total KMF 31 carried at least 21,025 troops. KMF 31's escorts included HMCS Prince Robert and on 11 May were joined by the escort carrier HMS Nairana (D05). KMF 31 took Stratheden as far as Port Said,[34] from where she, Strathmore and several other troop ships continued unescorted through the Suez Canal and Red Sea.[3] At Aden Stratheden with 4,036 troops and Strathmore with 4,679 joined Convoy AB 40A, which reached Bombay on 1 June.[35]

On 7 June 1944 Stratheden carrying 3,226 troops and Strathmore carrying 2,850 left Bombay in Convoy BA 71.[36] From Aden they continued unescorted to Port Said. There they joined Convoy MKF 32, which took Stratheden carrying 2,420 troops and Strathmore carrying 4,180 to Liverpool, where they arrived on 4 July.[37]

On 24 August 1944 Stratheden carrying 4,418 troops and Strathmore carrying 3,526 left the Clyde in Convoy KMF 34, which took them as far as Port Said. They continued unescorted to Aden. On 15 September Stratheden carrying 4,325 troops and Strathmore carrying 3,994 left Aden in Convoy ABF 4, reaching Bombay on 20 September.[38]

In Bombay they were joined by Strathnaver. On 27 September 1944 Stratheden carrying 2,017 troops, Strathmore carrying 3,382 and Strathnaver carrying 1,467 left Bombay in Convoy BAF 5, which took them as far as Aden.[39] From there they continued unescorted to Port Said. On 10 October Stratheden carrying 2,585 troops, Strathmore carrying 3,629 and Strathnaver carrying 1,902 left Port Said in Convoy MKF 35. In the western Mediterranean more troop ships joined from Naples including Capetown Castle and Monarch of Bermuda, and other troop ships joined from Algiers. By the time MKF 35 passed Gibraltar it included at least 14 troop ships carrying at least 17,425 troops and 5,876 passengers. On 21 October MKF 35 reached Liverpool.[40] There Stratheden parted company with her sisters and spent the rest of 1944 in home waters.