Items of historic interest involving this ship: –

Background Data:  One of an additional group of ships requisitioned by the Admiralty in WW1 to augment the ships of the RFA

18 August 1894 launched by Robert Napier & Sons, Govan as Yard Nr 439 named NINEVEH for Geo. Thompson & Co, Aberdeen

October 1894 completed as a passenger / cargo vessel

31 October 1894 sailed on her maiden voyage London – Cape Town – Australia

16 May 1898 arrived at Sydney, NSW from London via Melbourne and Cape Town

26 April 1899 arrived London from Australian ports

24 October 1902 sailed Sydney, NSW for Melbourne

29 October 1902 sailed Melbourne for Natal, South Africa

21 November 1902 berthed at Natal, South Africa

17 December 1902 arrived at Plymouth

13 March 1903 berthed at Hobart, Tasmania from Sydney, NSW

1 January 1904 sailed London for Plymouth

2 January 1904 sailed Plymouth for Cape Town

24 January 1904 berthed at Cape Town sailing later the same day for Melbourne

13 February 1904 berthed at Melbourne

9 March 1904 sailed Brisbane for other Australian ports thence to Cape Town and London

1907 purchased by Eastern & Australian Steamship Co, London and renamed  ALDENHAM

8 May 1907 sailed Sydney, NSW on her maiden voyge for her new owners

10 August 1907 sailed Sydney, NSW to Manila, China and Japan via Queensland ports

3 September 1907 arrived at Hong Kong

8 October 1907 arrived at Port Darwin

11 February 1908 at Brisbane Police Court a Chinaman was fined £50 for smuggling opium on the ship

20 January 1909 Fridge Engineer J Hobson appeared before the Police Court at Adelaide and was fined £5 with £2 – 2sh for smuggling cigars and silk hankerchiefs

29 March 1909 at Melbourne a search of the ship by a Customs rummage crew discovered 116 tins of opium hidden in various parts of the ship.

7 June 1909 a Japanese passenger(?) was caught attempting to smuggle opium into Port Darwin and was arrested. He appeared before the local Police Court on the 9 June 1909, pleaded Guilty and was fined £25

9 July 1909 before the Water Police Court, Sydney, NSW the ship’s Master – Captain St John George – was fined £100 for allowing a prohibited Chinese immigrant Chew Kit to enter the Commonwealth of Australia

22 March 1910 before the Water Police Court, Sydney, NSW – William Morris, a coal lumper appeared charged with smuggling two tins of opium which was concealed in his coat pocket  – he was fined £10

20 February 1911 before the Water Police Court, Sydney, NSW – Cheong You, a seaman appeared charged with smuggling four tins of opium which was concealed in his clothing  – he was fined £50 with the alternative of imprisonment until the fine was paid

10 March 1911 before the Water Police Court, Sydney, NSW the ship’s Master – Captain Elias F Pilcher – was fined £100 for allowing a prohibited immigrant to enter the Commonwealth of Australia

7 July 1911 before the Water Police Court, Sydney, NSW the ship’s Master – Captain Elias F Pilcher – was fined £200 for allowing two prohibited immigrants to enter the Commonwealth of Australia

29 December 1911before the Water Police Court, Sydney, NSW the ship’s Master – was fined £200 for allowing two prohibited immigrant to enter the Commonwealth of Australia

11 January 1912 before the Water Police Court, Sydney, NSW – Madge Grey appeared charged with smuggling nine tins of opium which was concealed in her skirt – she was sentenced to four months imprisonment

11 March 1912 in collision with a barque Hecla in the Brisbane River

15 November 1913 before the Police Court, Townsville the ship’s Master – Captain G L Smith – was fined £100 for allowing a prohibited immigrant to enter the Commonwealth of Australia.

1916 purchased by Royal Mail Steam Packet Meat Transport Ltd, London and renamed  LARNE

1918 purchased by Zurbaran Steamship Co ( Mac Andrews & Co, Managers) London, name unchanged

2 September 1918  requisitioned by the Admiralty for service as a Stores Carrier

1919 Returned to her owners

21 May 1919 berthed at Liverpool from Barcelona

August 1920 sailed Colon for London

28 October 1920 arrived at Bahia while on passage from Hull and Antwerpl to Rio Grande

May 1923 Broken up at Wilhelmshaven