HMHS Caesarea
From Our Contribution
 Caesarea pre WW1 | |
| History | |
|---|---|
| Name | HMHS Caesarea |
| Builder/Built | 1910 Cammell Laird, Birkenhead |
| Type | Passenger ferry (triple screw) |
| Displacement | 1,504 tons |
| Speed | 20 knots |
Remarks
Built for the London and South West Railway Company and employed on the Southampton - Channel Islands route. She saw service in both major world wars. In 1914 she was requisitioned and served throughout World War I under her original name, Caesarea. Capable of carrying 1,470 passengers she sailed with a crew of 51 in peace time.
From 1923 - 1941 she was owned by the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company and was known as Manx Maid.
In World War II she was requisitioned in August 1939, and served as an ABV, an Armed Boarding Vessel. Towards the end of WW2 she was renamed HMS Bruce and used by the Royal Navy. Paid off in March 1945 she returned to Isle of Man ownership and continued to act as a ferry until 1950 when she was broken up.