Official Number:                       131370  

Laid down:

Builder:                                    R Williamson & Son, Workington

Pennant No:                     Y 8.5 / Y 3.443 / Y 8.5

Launched:                                29 June 1911

Into Service:                             12 September 1914

Out of service:                          December 1917

Fate:                                        Bombed and sunk 21 March 1941

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:

29 June 1911 launched by R Williamson & Son, Workington as Yard Nr: 207 named Volhynia for Volana Shipping Co Ltd., (Rogers & Bright, Managers) Liverpool

August 1911 completed sister to Volana (q.v)

27 September 1911 passed the Lloyds Signal Station on the Lizard sailing east bound

28 July 1914 berthed at South Dock, Swansea from Rouen

12 September 1914 requisitioned for Admiralty service as a Stores Carrier, name unchanged

6 November 1914 became a collier – name unchanged

12 January 1915 became a stores carrier again – name unchanged

December 1917 owners taken over by Coast Lines Ltd., Liverpool – name unchanged

8 February 1919 returned to her owners – name unchanged

13 August 1919 sailed City Dock, Bristol for Cardiff

23 October 1919 sailed City Dock, Bristol for Cardiff

8 December 1919 sailed City Dock, Bristol for Cardiff

1920 renamed Gower Coast by her new owners

21 November 1924 the Weston Daily Press newspaper reported …

1932 purchased by John Kelly Ltd (W Clint, Manager) Belfast and renamed Millisle

24 October 1932 passed the Lloyds Signal Station on the Lizard sailing westward

10 October 1933 arrived at Burntisland

8 July 1934 sailed Methil to Rotterdam in ballast

25 September 1934 sailed the River Tyne for Blyth

13 July 1936 passed the Lloyds Signal Station on the Lizard sailing westward

6 December 1936 passed the Lloyds Signal Station on the Lizard sailing eastward

11 June 1938 sailed Brixham to Rouen

9 March 1939 sailed Brixham to Milford Haven

21 March 1941 bombed and sunk by German aircraft 2 miles east of Hellwick Light Buoy in the Bristol Channel while on passage from Cardiff to Cork with a cargo of coal. The ships Master and six other members of the crew were killed. Each is remembered with pride on the Tower Hill Memorial. The Registrar General of Shipping lists the Master and eight crew members being killed