Official Number:                       151977

Laid down:

Builder:                                   Caledon Ship Building & Engineering Co., Dundee

Launched:                               4 April 1924

Pennant No:                            B537

Into Service:                            WW2

Out of service:                         WW2

Fate:                                      April 1960 broken up

Items of historic interest involving this ship: –

Background Data:  One of an additional group of ships requisitioned by the Admiralty during WW2 to augment the ships of the RFA

Career Data:

4 April 1924 launched by Caledon Shipbuilding & Engineering Co Ltd., Dundee as Yard Nr: 288 named DARVEL for Straits Steamship Co Ltd., Singapore

June 1924 completed as a passenger / cargo ship

WW2 requisitioned for Admiralty Service and served as a troop, munitions and stores carrier then finally served with the British Pacific Fleet Train – hence the “B” pennant number

31 March 1940 at 01.22N 104.36E Carpenter Hoh Ah Nam discharged dead from natural causes

28 January 1942 sailed from Singapore with RAF personel in unescorted convoy NB1 ahead of the advancing Japanese Forces for Palembang. The convoy dispersed on 31 January 1942

12 February 1942 arrived damaged in Batavia after being bombed by Japanese aircraft

17 February 1942 sailed Tandjung Priok in convoy SJ3 for Fremantle, Western Australia

8 June 1942 sailed Sydney, NSW in convoy GP1 for Brisbane arriving 11 June 1942

15 August 1942 sailed Melbourne in escorted convoy OC18 for Sydney, NSW arriving 18 August 1942 

1943 owners became Singapore Straits Steamship Co Ltd., Singapore -name unchanged

4 June 1943 at Port Darwin Captain Francis Henry Roberts discharged dead – drowned

31 May 1945 listed as being ‘in port’ at Manus, Admiralty Islands along with RFA’s BACCHUS (2), FORT DUNVEGAN, ARNDALE, BROWN RANGER, CEDARDALE, GREEN RANGER, RAPIDOL, WAVE EMPEROR, WAVE KING and WAVE MONARCH

27 July 1945 at the Royal Naval Hospital, Sydney, NSW Seaman Abdul Rasah Chide X Chide discharged dead from natural causes

30 August 1945 sailed Manus, Admiralty Islands together with RFA’s GREEN RANGER & BACCHUS (2)

1947 owners again restyled as Straits Steamship Co Ltd., Singapore

April 1960 arrived Singapore for demolition by Hong Huat & Co