HMHS Gloucester Castle
From Our Contribution
 | |
 Hospital ship Gloucester Castle after being torpedoed by U-boat UB-32 off the Isle of Wight | |
| History | |
|---|---|
| Name | HMHS Gloucester Castle |
| Owner | UThe Union-Castle Mail Steam Ship Co. Ltd, London |
| Builder | Fairfield Shipbuilding & Engineering Co. Ltd., Govan |
| Yard number | 478 |
| Launched | 13 May 1911 |
| Completed | August 1911 |
| In service | 1911 |
| Out of service | 1942 |
| Fate | Sunk by auxiliary cruiser Michel on 15 July 1942 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Passenger Liner |
| Tonnage | 7,999 tons |
| Length | 452.7 ft (138.0 m) |
| Beam | 56.2 ft (17.1 m) |
| Depth | 30.7 ft (9.4 m) |
| Propulsion | twin screw |
| Speed | 13 knots (25.08 km/h) |
| Capacity | 412 passengers, 410 bed hospital |
Contents
- 1 Remarks
- 2 Soldiers carried
- 2.1 Anzac Cove to Alexandria 4 -9 May 1915
- 2.2 Mudross to Malta 11 - 20 July 1915
- 2.3 Mudros to Alexandria 7-10 August 1915
- 2.4 Anzac Cove to Alexandria 30 Aug - 2 Sep 1915
- 2.5 Anzac Cove to Mudros 26 September 1915
- 2.6 France to England 21 Jan 1917
- 2.7 France to England 10 March 1917
- 2.8 France to England 16 March 1917
- 2.9 France to England 2 August 1918
- 2.10 France to England 5 October 1918
- 2.11 France to England 28 October 1918
Remarks
Built for the Union-Castle Line, and requisitioned for use as a Hospital Ship. She was torpedoed by U-Boat UB-32 on 31 Mar 1917 off the Isle of Wright, but able to be salvaged. Three died during the transfer of crew and wounded. Towed back to port after two weeks. On 9 Sep 1919 returned to civilian service and served on the round Africa service.
In the Second World War she remained in civilian service as a passenger and general cargo liner. On 15 Jul 1942, off the coast of Angola, she was intercepted by the German auxiliary cruiser Michel. Michel's commander chose to attack after dark without warning. The first shells from Michel destroyed the bridge and radio room and, consequently, no S.O.S. was transmitted. The ship sank with 93 killed, including six woman passengers, and two children. The remaining 61 survivors were picked up by the Michel and interned at Yokohama, Japan until the end of the war. Two of the survivors died in captivity.