Official Number:                      105572 

Laid down:

Builder:                                     Caird & Co, Greenock

Pennant No:                            M81

Launched:                               1896

Into Service:                            13 March 1915

Out of service:                         8 August 1915

Fate:                                          8 August 1915 torpedoed and sunk

Items of historic interest involving this ship: –

Background Data:  One of a group of 69 ships requisitioned by the Admiralty during WW1 for service as Armed Merchant Cruisers

Career Data:

1896 launched by Caird & Co, Greenock as Yard Nr: 281 named India for Peninsular & Oriental Steam Navigation Co Ltd., London

March 1896 completed at a cost of £234,597. Carried 314 x 1st class, 212 x 2nd class passengers and 1,500 troops. Entered her owners’ India service as one of 5 sister ships

28 January 1898 first voyage to Melbourne and Sydney, NSW

13 March 1915 requisitioned for Admiralty service as an Armed Merchant Cruiser and commissioned as HMS INDIA

12 April 1915 at Royal Albert Docks, London having guns fitted

16 April 1915 loaded 1,662 tons of bunker coal

18 April 1915 sailed Royal Albert Docks, London and anchored at Lower Hope Reach

23 April 1915 sailed Lower Hope Reach to the Nore (Sheerness) – anchored off

26 April 1915 sailed Sheerness to Northern Patrol

17 May 1915 into Glasgow, two coal lighters alongside and received 450 tons of bunker coal

18 May 1915 at Glasgow, a further two coal lighters alongside and received 390 tons of bunker coal

19 May 1915 received 460 tons of bunker coal

20 May 1915 finished coaling ship having received a further 341 tons of bunker coal

25 May 1915 sailed Glasgow on Northern Patrol

18 June 1915 berthed No 8 berth, York Hill Basin Glasgow and commenced coaling. Loaded 660 tons of bunker coal

19 June 1915 loaded 626 tons of bunker coal

23 June 1915 moved to Stobcross Quay, Glasgow

27 June 1915 sailed Glasgow to sea

28 June 1915 main steering broke down

8 August 1915 was torpedoed and sunk 6 miles off Bodo, Norway in position 67.30N 13.20N by U-22 whilst serving with the 10th Cruiser Squadron with the loss of 160 lives. 141 survivors were picked up by ss GOTALAND and taken to Narvick assisted by HM Armed Trawler SAXON