Official Number: 109661
Laid down:
Builder: Naval Construction & Armaments Co., Barrow
Launched: 23 April 1898
Pennant No: M.10 / M 1.05
Into Service: August 1914
Out of service: 14 November 1919
Fate: 1947 Broken up
Items of historic interest involving this ship: –
Background Data: One of an additional group of ships requisitioned by the Admiralty during WW1 to augment the ships of the RFA
Career Data:
23 April 1898 launched by Vickers, Sons & Maxim Ltd., Barrow as Yard Nr: 264 named Duke of Cornwall for London & Yorkshire Railway Co., Fleetwood
27 April 1898 the Lloyds List newspaper reported …
August 1898 completed. Carried 500 x 1st Class & 750 x 3rd Class passengers
17 March 1899 at Morecombe Bay Printer Thomas Arthington Fielden discharged dead from consumption
23 August 1902 in the Irish Sea passenger Miles Russell Ward discharged dead – believed drowned
17 September 1903 at Fleetwood Able Seaman Samuel George discharged dead from heart dilatation
12 April 1907 between Belfast and Fleetwood passenger Miss L Jacoby discharged dead – missing on arrival at Fleetwood
August 1914 requisitioned for Admiralty service as a Troop Transport – name unchanged. She carried troops across the Irish Sea
31 October 1914 requisitioned for conversion into an Armed Boarding Steamer and was commissioned as HMS DUKE of CORNWALL
4 December 1914 Engineer Lieutenant George Wilson RNR appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
18 January 1915 collied with and sank trawler Earl of Marischal 206 grt, 30 miles NE by N of Buchan Ness, one of the trawler’s crew was lost
23 March 1915 HMS DIGBY provided a prize crew
10 June 1915 sighted and challenged by HMS EBRO
30 September 1915 sailed from Scapa Flow
2 December 1915 at Busta Voe weighed anchor and sailed
21 December 1915 sailed from Scapa Flow
21 March 1916 arrived at Busta Voe sailing later the same day
4 December 1916 towing a target which was fired on by HMS ACHILLES
HMS ACHILLES
5 December 1916 at the Olna Firth examining a steamer
30 April 1917 at sea examining a steamer
2 July 1917 seen in the Olna Firth by HMS COCHRANE
8 July 1917 at the Olna Firth weighed anchor and sailed
19 July 1917 at sea and sighted by HMS COCHRANE
12 June 1918 Fireman W Hill MMR 919286 discharged dead – drowned. He is buried in Dundee Eastern Necropolis in grave MM 4 1763
November 1918 reverted to her Trooping role
20 February 1919 Engineer Sub Lieutenant P Thompson RNR discharged dead. He is buried in Bootle Cemetery in grave I NC 623
13 October 1919 Able Seaman James Henry MMR 586207 discharged dead – drowned. He is buried in Malta (Capuccini) Cemetery, Malta in grave Prot 451
14 November 1919 decommissioned, refitted and returned to her owners as Duke of Cornwall
1 January 1923 owners became London, Midland & Scottish Railway Co – name unchanged
28 May 1924 at Galaty Sailor Pietro Patne discharged dead from injuries sustained while onboard
12 October 1926 in hospital at Belfast Able Seaman John McGirr discharged dead from pneumonia
28 April 1928 purchased by the Isle of Man Steam Packet Co Ltd., Douglas, Isle of Man, was modernised and was rename RUSHEN CASTLE
1939 to 1945 remained on her Company’s normal route
20 January 1947 arrived Ghent for demolition by Van Heyghen Freres