Official Number: 149644
Laid down:
Builder: Harland & Wolff, Greenock
Pennant No: B541
Launched: 31 August 1927
Into Service: WW2
Out of service: WW2
Fate: Foundered 9 October 1967
Background Data:
One of a group of additional ships requisitioned by the Admiralty during WW2 to augment the ships of the RFA
Career Data:
31 August 1927 launched by Harland & Wolff Ltd., Greenock as Yard Nr: 800 GK and named KHETI for James Moss & Co Liverpool
25 October 1927 completed
2 January 1931 arrived at Glasgow Harbour from Alexandria
12 December 1931 sailed from Liverpool for Mersin, Turkey
1934 owners became Moss Hutchison Line Ltd., Liverpool – name unchanged
WW2 requisitioned for Admiralty service – name unchanged. Finally served as an Armament Stores Issuing Ship with the British Fleet Train – hence the B-Pennant Nr.
13 October 1939 sailed Gibraltar in escorted convoy HG3 with food stuffs to Liverpool arriving 21 October 1939. RFA WAR KRISHNA was also part of this convoy
8 November 1939 sailed Liverpool in escorted convoy OB32. This convoy reformed on 11 November 1939 into convoy OG6 to Casablanca
6 September 1940 sailed from Southend in unescorted convoy FN274 together with 31 other ships to Methil arriving 8 September 1940
17 June 1941 sailed from Belfast Lough in unescorted convoy BB35 together with 7 other ships to Milford Haven arriving 19 June 1941
15 March 1945 arrived at Manus Naval Base, Loyalty Islands
9 September 1945 sailed Manus Naval Base, Loyalty Islands
1951 purchased by Mossgiel Steamship Co Ltd., (John Bruce & Co. Ltd., Managers) Glasgow and renamed ALCORA
1958 purchased by Cia Maritima Med Ltd., Lebanon and renamed GAY MED
1964 purchased by Ibrahim Hassan Nahas, Lebanon and renamed MED STAR
9 October 1967 developed leaks while on passage from Malta to Bayonne and foundered 30 miles south of Pantelleria