Official Number:                     165173

Pennant No:                         

Laid down:

Builder:                                 Wrf. Voorh. Rijkee & Co, Rotterdam

Launched:                             1909

Into Service:                           1941

Out of service:                        23 March 1941

Fate:                                     Raised and resunk in Barra Sound in 1944

Items of historic interest involving this ship: –

Background Data:  One of an additional group of ships requisitioned by the Admiralty during WW2 for use as a block ship

Career Data:

1909 launched by Wrf. Voorh. Rijkee & Co, Rotterdam and named Pollux

June 1909 completed as a passenger / cargo liner

3 June 1909 passed Gibraltar sailing east bound

March 1918 seized by America and operated by the USSB – name unchanged

1919 returned to her owners – name unchanged

1931 purchased by Union Martime Auxiliaire S A (Union Maritme SA Managers) Rouen and renamed Tabarka

10 April 1931 berthed at Glasgow

5 January 1932 radioed an SOS signal giving her position as 39.00N 09.55W having been in collision, in fog with ss Savesten near Cape Roca – made for Lisbon. Damage was to the port side shell plating and frames by No.1 hold

6 January 1932 arrived at Lisbon in tow

7 September 1935 sailed to provide assistance to Greek Ship ss Onassi Maria grounded on rocks 4 miles east of Cape Corso

1937 purchased by Soc. Anon. de Gerance et d’Armament, Rouen – name unchanged

15 October 1939 sailed Casablanca in French unescorted convoy K16 to Brest arriving 22 October 1939

21 November 1939 sailed Brest in escorted convoy 14BS. Arrived at Casablanca on 27 November 1939

3 January 1940 sailed Brest in escorted convoy 19BS. Arrived at Casablanca on 10 January 1940

20 January 1940 sailed Oran in convoy R6 and joined unescorted convoy KS56 from Casablanca to Brest arriving 28 January 1940

17 February 1940 sailed Brest in convoy 28BS of which there are no details known. Arrived at Casablanca on 23 February 1940

8 March 1940 sailed Oran in convoy R14 and joined unescorted convoy KS74 from Casablanca to Brest arriving 15 March 1940

7 April 1940 sailed Brest in convoy 38BS of which there are no details known. Arrived at Casablanca on 13 April 1940

21 May 1940 sailed Brest joining convoy 45B of which there are no details known.

6 June 1940 sailed Oran in convoy R27 and joined unescorted convoy K3 from Casablanca to Brest arriving 14 June 1940

July 1940 requisitioned by the MoS at Falmouth under the management of G Heyn & Sons Ltd., Belfast – name unchanged

1941 purchased by the Admiralty for use as a Block Ship – name unchanged

23 March 1941 scuttled as a Block Ship in Kirk Sound, Scapa Flow

1944 wreck raised and resunk in Barra Sound