Official Number: 105319
Laid down:
Pennant No: Y 9.13
Builder: Workman Clark & Co Ltd
Launched: 25 May 1895
Into Service: 4 August 1914
Out of service: 7 March 1915
Fate: 5 November 1916 sunk while under tow
Background Data: One of an additional group of ships requisitioned by the Admiralty during WW1 to augment the ships of the RFA.
Career Details:
25 May 1895 launched by Workman Clark & Co Ltd., Belfast as Yard No: 119 named Statesman for T & J Harrison Ltd., Liverpool
June 1987 completed at a cost of £68,294
June 1897 in collision with the Dutch steamer Cyclops in the Suez Canal
22 November 1897 in collision with the German steamer Prinz Heinrich in the Suez Canal
5 January 1898 in collision with the Italian steamer Adriatico in the Suez Canal
21 January 1899 arrived at Malta while on passage from Liverpool to Calcutta
26 May 1902 grounded briefly at Moses Well, Suez
June 1906 in collision with the British steamer Polphemus
March 1913 in collision with an unnamed sailing ship at San Francisco
4 August 1914 requisitioned for Admiralty service as a stores carrier, name unchanged
12 August 1914 commissioned as HMS STATESMAN. Lieutenant Harry Walton RNR appointed in command and Engineer F J Dunn RNR appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
6 September 1914 at the Dardenelles Blockade alongside HMS DEFENCE supplying naval stores and ammunition
HMS DEFENCE
4 October 1914 at the Dardenelles Blockade alongside HMS DEFENCE supplying naval stores and ammunition
7 March 1915 returned to her owners
3 November 1916 while on passage from Liverpool to Calcutta with general cargo, she was torpedoed by UB43 in the Mediterranean 200 miles East of Malta. The submarine then surfaced and attacked with her deck gun, which killed six of the crew. The survivors were taken off by the sloop HMS SNAPDRAGON and a tow line was connected to commence a tow to Malta
5 November 1916 sank while under tow in position 36°00N 18°30E