Official Number: 128288
Laid down:
Builder: D & W Henderson Ltd., Meadowside
Pennant No: M01/M1.19/M1.08
Launched: 23 April 1909
Into Service: 14 November 1914
Out of service: 15 June 1920
Fate: 1921 sank as a result of a collision
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 1909 launched by D & W Henderson Ltd., Meadowside as Yard Nr: 467 named Rowan for Laird Lines Ltd., Glasgow
June 1909 completed
14 November 1914 requisitioned for Admiralty service as an Armed Boarding Steamer and Transport
18 November 1914 Lieutenant Commander Walter H Wilkes RNR (Retired) appointed as Commanding Officer and Engineer Lieutenant John McIsaac RNR appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
30 November 1914 ship commissioned as HMS ROWAN
19 November 1915 Petty Officer Charles Richard Bagshaw discharged dead. He is buried in Naples British Cemetery in grave B281
25 February 1916 at Salonika berthed alongside HMS ARK ROYAL receiving stores
1 April 1916 Ship’s Steward Assistant Alfred Thomas Key discharged dead. He is buried in Portianos Military Cemetery in grave III C 340
8 May 1916 at Mudros
15 May 1916 arrived at Port Mudros
13 June 1916 arrived at Port Mudros
8 July 1916 sailed from Port Mudros
7 December 1916 at Salamis alongside HMS EXMOUTH, cast off and sailed
12 December 1916 arrived at Salamis, sailing again later in the day
14 December 1916 at Salamis berthed alongside HMS EXMOUTH
21 December 1916 arrived at Salamis, sailing again later in the day for Mudros
26 December 1916 at Salamis berthed alongside HMS EXMOUTH
27 December 1916 sailed Salamis
28 December 1916 at Salamis berthed alongside HMS EXMOUTH sailing later in the day
2 January 1917 arrived at Salamis and berthed alongside HMS EXMOUTH. Issued stores to HMS EXMOUTH
3 January 1916 sailed from Salamis
30 January 1917 arrived at Port Mudros
3 February 1917 arrived at Port Mudros
13 February 1917 arrived at Port Mudros
15 February 1917 sailed from Port Mudros
17 February 1917 arrived at Port Mudros
24 February 1917 arrived at Port Mudros with HMS FOXHOUND
27 March 1917 arrived at Port Mudros
7 April 1917 arrived at Port Mudros
21 April 1917 arrived at Port Mudros sailing later in the day
27 June 1917 arrived at Port Mudros
28 June 1917 sailed from Port Mudros
28 August 1918 Engineer Sub Lieutenant Fergus Kennedy RNR discharged dead from illness. He is buried in Glasgow (Craighton) Cemetery in grave W 2342 and remembered with pride on the Roll of Honour at Bellahouston Academy
5 September 1918 Fireman J Riley MMR 922918 discharged dead. He is buried in Haslar Naval Cemetery, Gosport in grave B 15.5
15 June 1920 returned to her owners and her name reverted to Rowan
21 September 1921 sank after being run down by the American West Camak off Corsewall Point near Stranraer while on passage from Glasgow to Dublin in thick fog carrying general cargo. She was then hit amidships by Clan Malcolm which was coming to her assistance. Thirteen of her crew and three passengers were lost and Clan Malcolm rescued the remaining seventy seven persons but two of these later died of their injuries