Previous name:

Subsequent name:

Official Number:                            115897 

Class:                                              Stores Carrier

Pennant No:                                   Y4.147

Laid down:

Builder:                                           Caledon Shipbuilding Co Ltd., Dundee  

Launched:                                     22 July 1902

Into Service:                                   5 August 1914

Out of service:                               14 April 1916

Fate:                                                14 June 1917 sunk  

Previous name:

Subsequent name:

Official Number:                            115897 

Class:                                              Stores Carrier

Pennant No:                                   Y4.147

Laid down:

Builder:                                           Caledon Shipbuilding Co Ltd., Dundee  

Launched:                                     22 July 1902

Into Service:                                   5 August 1914

Out of service:                               14 April 1916

Fate:                                                14 June 1917 sunk  

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

22 July 1902 launched by Caledon Shipbuilding Co Ltd, Dundee as Yard Nr 165 named ORTOLAN for General Steam Navigation Co Ltd, London

September 1902 Completed. Served on her owner’s London – Bordeaux service

7 March 1909 while on passage to Bordeaux rescued the crew of a Spanish steamship ‘Mouro’ which was sinking. The Mouro was on passage from Huelva to the UK fully laden. The rescused crew were landed at Bordeaux

5 March 1910 while passing down stream on the River Thames off Blackwall was in collision with the steamer Ophir of Bergen which was on passage up steam. 

11 July 1910 the collision of the 5 March 1910 was the subject of litigation in the Admiralty Division of the High Court before Mr Justice Bargrave Deane and two Elder Brethren of Trinity House. The case resulted in the pilot on the Ortolan being held fully to blame.

5 August 1914 requisitioned by the Admiralty for service as a Stores Carrier,  name unchanged

5 August 1914 Lieutenant W J Pain RNR appointed as Commanding Officer and Engineer W Roberts RNR appointed as Chief Engineer Officer

5 August 1914 commissioned

14 April 1916 returned to her owners

14 June 1917 torpedoed and sunk 100miles WSW of Bishop Rock by U-82 (Kapitanleutnant Hans Adam) while on passage from Genoa to London with a general cargo but with the loss of 3 lives. An armed American vessel some four miles from the sinking fired several rounds and drove the submarine off. The survivors which included the Master and Chief Engineer were rescued and landed at Montreal.