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HMAT A54 Runic

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HMAT A54 Runic
HMAT A54 Runic.jpg
AWM Photo P00707.027
HMAT A54 Runic 3.jpg
State Library of Victoria
History
Name HMAT A54 Runic
Owner Oceanic Steam Navigation Co Ltd, Liverpool (White Star Line)
Builder Harland and Wolff, Belfast
Yard number 332
Launched 25 Oct 1900
Completed 22 Dec 1900
In service 13 Jan 1901
Out of service early 1930
In service 1931
Out of service 1940
Reclassified Whale mother ship
Fate Torpedoed and sunk 30 miles (48 km) off Malin Head, Galway, Ireland
General characteristics
Type Passenger / cargo steamship
Tonnage 12,490 tons
Length 550 ft (167.64m)
Beam 63.4 ft (19.32m)
Propulsion twin screw
Speed 13 knots (24.08 kph)
Capacity 400 x 3rd class, 100,000carcusses mutton; 20,000 bales wool


Remarks

Owned by the Oceanic Steam Navigation Co Ltd, Liverpool (White Star Line). Runic initially remained in commercial service after the outbreak of the First World War in August 1914, but on 21 January 1915 she was commissioned by the Australian government as a transport ship and was given the designation HMAT (His Majesty's Australian Transport) A54. Leased by the Commonwealth until 27 Nov 1917. Completed six voyages from Australia before her management shifted to the British Admiralty and at least nine voyages carrying troops to Australia (three post Armistice).


Released back into commercial service on 10 April 1919, when she returned to the Australian service. In October 1921 Runic was sent back to Harland & Wolff for her passenger accommodation to be reconditioned. On 3 November 1928 when she was on an extended voyage to Glasgow, Scotland she collided with HMS London causing minor damage to her stern. Runic made her last voyage to Australia for White Star in December 1929, following her return she was laid up for disposal after nearly 29 years of service


In 1930 Runic was sold and converted into a whaling factory ship and renamed New Sevilla. She remained in service in this role until September 1940 when she was torpedoed and sunk off the Irish coast enroute to Antarctica. 282 crew were saved, but two lives were lost. The survivors were picked up by HMS Arabis and the Icelandic trawler Belgaum and landed at Belfast.

Soldiers carried

Alexandria to Fremantle 11 April - 14 May 1915

Sydney to Alexandria 20 January - 26 February 1916

Embarked in Fremantle on 29 January

Port Tewfik (Suez) to Fremantle 11 Apr 1916

Melbourne to Plymouth via Capetown 20 June - 10 August 1916

England to Fremantle 4 May 1917 - ?? June 1917

England to Fremantle 20 December 1917 - 12 February 1918

Sydney to England 22 March - 24 May 1918

England to Fremantle 23 September - 7 November 1918

England to Australia 2 January - 8 February 1919

England to Fremantle 27 April - 10 June 1919

England to Australia 20 December 1919 - 29 January 1920

Other Voyages

* 12 February 1915 from Sydney &  19 February 1915 from Melbourne
* 9 September 1915 from Sydney, New South Wales