Actions

HMAT A9 Shropshire

From Our Contribution

HMAT A9 Shropshire
HMAT A9 Shropshire.jpg
History
Name HMAT A9 Shropshire
Owner Federal Steam Navigation Co. Ltd., London
Builder John Brown, Clydebank
Yard number 400
Launched 27 Apr 1911
Completed 19 Sep 1911
In service 28 Oct 1911
Out of service 1940
Fate Torpedoed and sunk 11 Dec 1940
General characteristics
Type Passenger / cargo steamship
Tonnage 11,911 tons
Length 526.4 ft (160.45m)
Beam 61.4 ft (18.71m)
Depth 33.3 ft (10.15m)
Propulsion twin screw
Speed 14 knots (25.93 kmph)



Remarks

Built for the Federal Steam Navigation Co Ltd, London, and employed on passenger and meat trade between New Zealand and Britain. Leased by the Commonwealth until 5 Aug 1917 when control passed to the British Admiralty. Was a member of the first convoy from Albany to Alexandria. Completed seven voyages from Australia.


In 1923 was renamed Rotorua for the New Zealand Shipping Co. Became a casualty of WW2, being torpedoed by U Boat U-96 off St. Kilda, with the loss of 21 lives, 104 were rescued. Inward from Lyttelton via Halifax for Avonmouth.

Soldiers carried

Sydney to Alexandria 17 March - ? April 1915

Embarked in Melbourne on 20 March

Fremantle to Port Suez 31 March - 24 Apr 1916

Other Voyages

  • 20 October 1914 from Melbourne
  • 20 August 1915 from Sydney
  • 25 September 1916 from Melbourne
  • 11 May 1917 from Melbourne