Official Number: 106749
Laid down:
Builder: J Scott & Co., Kingholm
Launched: 2 June 1897
Pennant No: Y 5.2
Into Service: 9 September 1914
Out of service: 2 February 1918
Fate: 2 February 1918 torpedoed and sunk
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:
2 June 1897 launched by J Scott & Co., Kinghorn as Yard Nr: 99 named Jaffa for Bailey & Leetham, Hull
14 June 1897 completed as a passenger / cargo vessel
1 February 1899 sailed London for Morocco, the Canary Islands and Maderia with 4 passengers. Captain J W Taylor was the ship’s Master
2 March 1899 sailed London for Morocco, the Canary Islands and Maderia with 13 passengers. Captain J W Taylor was the ship’s Master
30 March 1899 sailed London for Morocco, the Canary Islands and Maderia with 9 passengers. Captain J W Taylor was the ship’s Master
26 April 1899 sailed London for Gibraltar, Rabat, Morocco, the Canary Islands and Maderia with 9 passengers. Captain J W Taylor was the ships Master
1903 owners acquired by Wilson Line Ltd., (T Wilson, Sons & Co Ltd., Managers) Hull – name unchanged
17 March 1903 sailed Gravesend
2 December 1910 went aground on the island of Dago while on passage from London to Reval with a cargo of general goods. The forehold was full of water. some of the cargo had been jettisoned. Source Lloyds Casualty report. Two salvage steamers towed the ship into Reval
9 September 1914 requisitioned for Admiralty service as a Frozen Meat Ship – name unchanged
18 October 1916 off Netley, Southampton Water Mate James T Hume discharged dead from injuries sustained when he fell down the hold
2 February 1918 torpedoed and sunk by German submarine UB-30 in the English Channel 3 miles S x E of the Owers Light Vessel while on passage from Boulogne to Southampton in ballast with the loss of 10 lives. All 10 who died are remembered with pride on the Tower Hill Memorial
Courtesy of Brian Watson